Pyle PGA500BR.5 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar with a full-size dreadnought body and cutaway design. Part of Pyle's Pro series, it features a laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a 5-ply neck for stability.

This steel-string acoustic guitar comes equipped with a built-in preamp and pickup to amplify your sound through an external speaker or PA system. The preamp offers 2-band EQ and volume control mounted conveniently on the upper bout.

With its resonant tonewoods and slim neck profile, the PGA500BR.5 aims to provide good playability and balanced acoustic tone without breaking the bank. This review will take a deeper look at the build, hardware, electronics and sound to help you determine if it's the right acoustic-electric for your needs and budget.

Body Style and Design

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 features a classic dreadnought body style that is quite versatile for various musical genres. The body is made of a laminated Agathis wood top, back and sides, which provides a balanced and well-rounded tone.

The Agathis lends a warm yet crisp sound with good sustain. The laminated construction makes it durable and resistant to weather changes. The body depth is approximately 4 inches, giving it a nice projection and volume.

The cutaway design allows easy access to the upper frets, expanding the guitar's playing range. The single-cutaway dreadnought body strikes a great balance between playability, projection and comfort. Overall, the Pyle has a traditional and appealing body design tailored for acoustic-electric performance.

The dreadnought body style is one of the most popular and iconic acoustic guitar shapes. Its large body provides powerful bass response and great projection. The wide waist makes it very comfortable to play as well. Many legendary acoustic guitars feature the dreadnought design such as the Martin D-28 and Gibson Hummingbird.

In contrast, other body styles like concert and parlor guitars have a smaller form factor. While more comfortable for some players, they lack the bass response and volume of a dreadnought. The jumbo body style takes the dreadnought shape even further with its bigger size and booming projection.

The Pyle's dreadnought body strikes a great balance for most playing styles and situations. It has a versatile tone thanks to its Agathis laminate construction. While laminate backs and sides don't resonate as well as solid wood, they are more durable and consistent.

The cutaway adds access to higher notes while retaining a traditional vibe. Overall it's a practical, good looking guitar built for amplified live performances. The Ibanez AX120MFT is another quality acoustic-electric guitar with a dreadnought body ideal for gigs and practice.

It features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides for balanced tone. The slim neck profile and shorter 24.7" scale length enhance comfort and playability. Built-in Fishman electronics provide natural amplified tone. The Ibanez AX120MFT delivers rich acoustic sound and performance features at an affordable price.

While the Pyle and Ibanez models have their differences, they both utilize the versatile and proven dreadnought body style. This shape provides excellent projection, balanced tone, and comfortable playability. It works well for all styles of music from rock and country to folk and bluegrass.

The dreadnought body has become the industry standard for good reason. Its timeless shape and versatile performance allow it to shine whether on stage or in the studio. While other shapes have their merits, the dreadnought remains one of the most popular and practical acoustic guitar designs.

Neck and Fretboard

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 features a sturdy maple neck with a 25.5” scale length and 21 medium jumbo frets that make fretting chords and solos comfortable. The rosewood fingerboard is a popular choice among acoustic electric players for its smooth feel and warm, rounded tone. The neck has a C-shape profile that lends to versatile playing, allowing easy access to higher notes on the lower register while still offering a full, meaty grip up top. Between the neck dimensions, quality rosewood fingerboard, and smooth medium jumbo frets, the PGA500BR.5 provides a very playable and enjoyable fretting experience.

The maple neck and rosewood fingerboard work together to provide a great feel and balanced tone. Maple is known for its bright, crisp sound while rosewood offers warmth and sweetness. This combination allows the PGA500BR.5 to have nice note definition while still retaining pleasing midrange character. The C-shaped neck carves out a middle ground, offering comfort and playability for a variety of playing styles. Whether you prefer to riff near the lower frets or solo up high, the PGA500BR.5 neck feels natural. The medium jumbo frets provide a tall but not overly huge platform for fretting notes cleanly and accurately. Overall, the neck and fretboard specs make the PGA500BR.5 a versatile and enjoyable guitar to play.

Other popular acoustic electric guitars like the Fender 0373203506 also aim to strike a balance between great feel, balanced tone, and versatile playability. The Fender 0373203506 uses a nato neck with a pau ferro fretboard. Nato has a clear, articulate sound while pau ferro has enhanced midrange like rosewood. Together they create a dynamic tonal palette. The Fender also has a comfortable C-shaped neck and medium jumbo frets for easy playability. While the Pyle PGA500BR.5 and Fender 0373203506 use different woods, they both aim to achieve great feel, balanced tone, and versatility through considered neck and fretboard design.

Bridge and Hardware

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 features a rosewood bridge, which helps transfer string vibrations to the guitar body for fuller resonance. Rosewood is known for its rich, warm tones and is a popular choice for acoustic instruments.

The guitar has die-cast chrome enclosed tuning machines, also referred to as tuners or machine heads. These allow for smooth and accurate tuning stability. The chrome coating prevents against corrosion while giving an attractive finished look.

Additional hardware includes a truss rod for adjusting neck relief, a pickguard to protect the body finish, strap buttons to attach a strap, and silver nickel fret wire for durability and bright tone. The fretboard edges have cream body binding for decorative appeal. There is no electronics control panel, just a single endpin jack for plugging into an amplifier.

Overall the hardware components are decent quality for a guitar at this price point. The tuners and bridge allow it to stay relatively in tune, while the pickguard and bindings add visual flair.

Electronics and Pickups

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 features a single electric pickup that allows you to plug into an amplifier or PA system. The pickup is located under the soundhole and is designed specifically for resonator guitars, capturing the bright, metallic resonance these instruments are known for.

Controls on the PGA500BR.5 are simple, with just a single volume knob. Turn up the knob to increase the output volume to your amp. There is also a 1/4" output jack located on the side for connecting to cables and amplifiers. The pickup and controls allow you to easily amplify your resonator tone in live performances or recordings.

The single pickup aims to capture the natural acoustic sound of the resonator cone while adding volume through the amp. It produces a balanced tone across lows, mids, and highs. The pickup combined with the all-metal resonator body results in the characteristic ringing overtones and biting twang these guitars are prized for. Overall the electronics package is designed specifically for resonating the unique sound of these distinctive instruments.

Sound and Tone

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 produces a balanced, resonant acoustic tone thanks to its all-mahogany body construction. The spruce top helps project the sounds, allowing it to fill a room without needing amplification. There's a crispness and clarity to the notes that enhances rhythm playing.

When plugged in, the onboard preamp and pickup preserves the guitar's acoustic sound. The tone remains organic and warm through an amplifier or PA system. There's enough acoustic character that you won't mistake it for an electric guitar. The preamp provides some simple tone shaping controls for bass, midrange, and treble. It's possible to dial in a tone suitable for any genre, from rock to blues to country.

The guitar is plenty loud enough for jamming with friends or performing live with a band. The preamp helps prevent feedback issues when playing larger venues. Overall, the PGA500BR.5 delivers great acoustic resonance and balanced amplified tones.

Playability

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 acoustic-electric guitar offers smooth, comfortable playability right out of the box. The medium jumbo fretboard has a fast, slick feel that makes it easy to play complex chords and quick lead lines.

The action on this guitar is set exceptionally well from the factory. The strings sit close to the fretboard, allowing for easy pressing and bending without buzzing. There is no need to adjust the truss rod or bridge to improve playability.

The neck has a smooth satin finish that glides nicely under the hand. The 1-11/16" nut width provides ample room for fingering chords without feeling too cramped. The neck is crafted from quality mahogany for stability and sustain.

The PGA500BR.5 is lightweight and well-balanced. At just over 7 pounds, it sits comfortably on a player's lap and can be played for extended periods without fatiguing the shoulders or back. The contoured body is shaped for playing ease.

This is an exceptionally playable instrument right off the shelf. From fast lead runs to rhythm chording, the PGA500BR.5 offers smooth playability and great comfort. The fast neck, quality hardware, and ergonomic body design make this guitar a joy to play.

Quality and Durability

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 acoustic-electric guitar features solid construction and quality materials that provide good durability for the price.

The top is made from laminated spruce, while the back and sides are laminated mahogany. This combination of woods produces a balanced and well-rounded tone. The build quality feels solid, with no notable flaws in the finish or construction.

The hardware, including sealed die-cast chrome tuners and a rosewood bridge, feels sturdy and helps the guitar stay in tune. The neck joint and fretwork have a hand-finished quality.

Some buyers do report minor quality control issues, like slight finish imperfections, upon close inspection. But overall, the materials and construction seem reliable for a guitar in this budget-friendly price range.

The PGA500BR.5 should hold up well to regular use and provide years of playing enjoyment. While not built to the same standards as premium American acoustics, it delivers admirable durability considering the affordable price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Nice vintage and retro design gives it character
• Solid spruce top produces rich acoustic tones
• Mahogany back and sides add warmth and resonance
• Rosewood fingerboard looks great and feels smooth
• Alnico pickups capture the authentic acoustic sound
• Onboard preamp with EQ gives you tonal control
• Great for practicing at home or gigging live
• Available at an affordable price point

Cons

• Some may find the body a little large for comfort
• Basic electronics compared to more expensive models
• Not the best choice for heavy strumming or aggressive playing
• Neck may be too wide for small hands
• Controls can be noisy when adjusting volume and tone
• Intonation could be better up the neck
• Fit and finish not as refined as premium guitars

Conclusions

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 acoustic-electric guitar offers solid value in an affordable price range, making it a great choice for beginners and intermediate players looking to add an acoustic-electric to their collection.

The all-mahogany construction produces a balanced, warm tone with good resonance and sustain. The guitar feels comfortable to play thanks to the slim neck profile and smooth frets. The built-in preamp provides enough tonal shaping and volume boosting to make this guitar stage-ready right out of the box.

While the hardware and electronics are fairly basic, they perform well for the price. Upgrades could be made down the line, like installing higher quality pickups or tuners, but the guitar still sounds and plays well in its stock form.

The Pyle PGA500BR.5 punches above its weight class in terms of build quality and tone. It's an ideal acoustic-electric for new players, gigging musicians on a budget, or really anyone looking for an affordable, playable instrument with good amplified sound. Overall, it's easy to recommend for those shopping in this price tier.