Vangoa Basic VDS-13 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Vangoa guitars stands out as a relatively new brand in the growing acoustic-electric guitar market. Founded in 2015, Vangoa aims to provide high quality, affordable instruments to musicians of all levels. Though a young company, they've quickly built a reputation for well-constructed guitars with great tone and playability.

The Vangoa Basic VDS-13 acoustic-electric model offers an excellent entry point for those looking to upgrade to a gig-ready electro acoustic. It provides stage-ready features like an onboard preamp and pickup, alongside Vangoa's characteristically high build quality. For those seeking their first "serious" acoustic-electric, the VDS-13 merits strong consideration.

Overview

The Vangoa VDS-13 is an acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar designed for beginners and students. As an acoustic-electric, it can be played unplugged or plugged into an amplifier. The Vangoa VDS-13 has several features that make it a solid choice for new guitarists.

The VDS-13 has a classic dreadnought body shape that produces a full, rich tone. It is constructed with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar comes equipped with an onboard preamp and pickup system allowing you to plug into an amp or PA system. It has die-cast chrome tuners and a compensated saddle for reliable tuning stability.

Overall, the Vangoa VDS-13 combines playability, decent hardware and electronics at an affordable price point for novice players. The acoustic-electric design provides versatility for playing live or amplified. The dreadnought body generates a balanced and projecting acoustic voice.

For guitarists looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric option, the Fender FA-115 is an excellent choice. This acoustic-electric guitar has a slim, comfortable body shape with a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. It comes equipped with a Fishman preamp system that allows for natural amplified tones. The guitar has a smooth-playing maple neck and 20-fret rosewood fingerboard.

Some key features of the Fender FA-115 acoustic-electric guitar include its built-in tuner, adjustable truss rod for neck relief, compensated bone saddle for intonation, and die-cast chrome tuning machines. This guitar produces balanced acoustic resonance and rich amplified tones. The Fishman preamp has easy-to-use controls for volume, bass, midrange, treble, and phase. It runs on a 9V battery.

For beginners looking to transition to an acoustic-electric guitar, the Fender FA-115 is an affordable option with quality electronics and hardware. It generates warm acoustic tones that project well when unplugged. Plugged in, the guitar has a natural amplified sound suitable for performing. The slim neck profile is comfortable for smaller hands. Overall, the Fender FA-115 is an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric guitar.

Compared to the Vangoa VDS-13, the Fender FA-115 offers some upgraded features while still being reasonably priced for newer players. The VDS-13 provides a solid acoustic dreadnought platform, but the FA-115 adds high-quality electronics and hardware for amplified playing. The Fender's slimmer body will appeal to players who find a dreadnought too bulky. For guitarists wanting versatility in one instrument, the Fender FA-115 acoustic-electric is an outstanding option.

Construction

The Vangoa VDS-13 has a solid spruce top, which helps provide a balanced and articulate tone. The back and sides are made from laminated basswood, which is a cost-effective material that still delivers decent resonance.

Overall, the build quality is quite good for a beginner acoustic-electric in this price range. The hardware feels sturdy, including the chrome diecast tuning machines which hold tune reliably. The neck joint and bridge are neatly done as well. While not a high-end guitar, the Vangoa VDS-13 exceeds expectations for an affordable entry-level model in terms of its construction and durability. Players report it standing up well to regular use and practice sessions.

The satin finish helps bring out the natural wood grain patterns. Attention is given to smoothing the fret ends and polishing the frets for comfortable playability too. While the build materials are budget-friendly, Vangoa does not cut corners in craftsmanship. The guitar feels solid and plays smoothly right out of the box.

If you're looking for another quality acoustic-electric guitar option, check out the Stagg SCL50-NAT. This model features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides, delivering warm and balanced acoustic tones. It has a slim neck profile that makes it very comfortable to play, even for long practice sessions. The SCL50-NAT comes equipped with a built-in preamp and tuner for amplified performance situations. Stagg is known for manufacturing affordable yet well-made acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars. So the SCL50-NAT is an excellent choice for beginners or intermediate players looking for great value in an acoustic-electric model.

Sound

The Vangoa VDS-13 produces a balanced tone that works well for various music styles, from rock to folk. The combination of solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provides a nice blend of warmth and articulation.

The solid spruce top offers crisp highs and tight bass. Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops due to its resonant properties that enhance volume and sustain. At the same time, spruce has a light and airy sound.

The mahogany back and sides fill out the midrange, adding sweetness and depth to the tone. Mahogany brings out richer lows with clear low mids. The warmth of mahogany combines nicely with the bright sound of the spruce top.

Together, these tonewoods create a full range tone that is versatile for playing both rhythm and lead. The Vangoa has enough punch and articulation to cut through a mix, while also offering sufficient warmth for fingerpicking and strumming chords. The balanced sound projects well when playing live without being overly bright or muddy. Overall, the VDS-13's wood combination produces a pleasing tone across various genres.

Playability

The Vangoa VDS-13 acoustic-electric guitar features a comfortable and playable neck design that is ideal for beginner and novice players. The action height is medium, providing a good balance between playability and richer tone. The neck width measures 1 11/16" at the nut, which is a standard slim neck profile that most players will find very comfortable to hold and play.

The slim neck and medium action height require less finger pressure when fretting notes, making chord changes and lead playing accessible for guitarists with small or weaker hands. The smooth neck finish coupled with a C-shaped profile allows for fast, fluid playing up and down the rosewood fingerboard. Overall, the Vangoa VDS-13 offers excellent playability right out of the box, with an inviting neck that makes this guitar a great choice for new players and kids first learning the instrument.

Hardware

The Vangoa VDS-13 comes equipped with die-cast chrome tuning machines that hold tune reliably. The nut and saddle are made from synthetic bone, which provides a smooth feel during playing.

The guitar has an onboard preamp with 2-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone. It uses a built-in piezo pickup under the saddle to capture your playing dynamics when plugged in. The pickup produces a balanced acoustic tone through an amp or PA system. There is a discrete preamp control panel on the upper bout with volume, bass, and treble controls.

The hardware allows you to easily plug in for live performances or recording while preserving the authentic acoustic sound of the Vangoa VDS-13. The tuning machines, nut, saddle, and electronics give you the versatility of an acoustic-electric at an entry-level price point.

Pros

The Vangoa VDS-13 offers excellent value for money as a beginner-friendly acoustic-electric guitar. It delivers a well-balanced tone that belies its affordable price point.

The all-laminate construction helps provide good resonance and projection, resulting in a lively acoustic sound. While not as complex as a solid wood guitar, the VDS-13's tone is surprisingly full and dynamic. Both the low end and high end come through nicely.

The onboard preamp and pickup system also perform admirably for an entry-level acoustic-electric. The tone stays fairly balanced when amplifying the VDS-13 through an external speaker or PA system. Feedback is also minimal, even at higher volumes.

Overall, the Vangoa VDS-13 punches above its weight in terms of its acoustic resonance and amplified performance. Guitarists on a tight budget will appreciate the quality they can get for the attractive price. While not perfect, the VDS-13 delivers where it counts for a beginner acoustic-electric guitar.

Cons

The Vangoa VDS-13 has a few drawbacks to consider. The laminate back and sides, while sturdy and affordable, can affect the guitar's tone. Laminate doesn't resonate or project sound quite like solid wood. As a result, the VDS-13 may lack some richness, warmth, and nuance in its acoustic voice.

The built-in electronics are functional but may lack the refinement found in higher-end acoustic-electric guitars. The preamp and pickup aim to reproduce the VDS-13's natural acoustic sound, but some reviewers note the amplified tone can be a bit thin or artificial. The EQ knobs help shape the tone, but the electronics have limited tone-sculpting capabilities.

Ideal For

The Vangoa Basic Acoustic-Electric guitar is ideal for beginners and intermediate guitar players looking to upgrade from their first guitar. The combination of construction, hardware, and electronics make it versatile for various musical styles.

The all-laminate wood body produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, allowing beginners to explore different genres from rock to jazz. The slim neck and low action facilitate easy playing and barre chords. The onboard preamp and tuner aid plugging into an amp or PA system for live performance.

More advanced players can utilize the Vangoa for practice sessions at home or as a dependable backup guitar. The cutaway dreadnought body shape and single-cutaway allow easy access to upper frets for solos and lead playing. The durable construction can withstand the rigors of frequent transportation and performance.

Overall, the Vangoa Basic hits a sweet spot for players seeking an affordable, reliable acoustic-electric guitar suitable for the needs of a developing musician. It handles well across many musical styles, making it a versatile choice as a first serious instrument or backup option. The combination of playability, electronics, and construction justify the value for novice and intermediate players alike.

Conclusion

The Vangoa VDS-13 is a well-priced workhorse acoustic-electric that provides solid core features for the budget-minded player. This no-frills dreadnought won't win any awards for craftsmanship or appointments, but delivers on the basics with its laminate spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and built-in pickup and preamp system.

While the tonewoods and hardware are serviceable, they lack the resonance and refinement found in pricier models. However, the VDS-13 plays smoothly right out of the box, with a slim neck profile and low action that make it accessible for beginners. The onboard electronics offer simple controls and decent amplified tone at this price point.

Overall, the Vangoa VDS-13 gives you a ton of value, marrying playability, function and tone in an affordable package. It's a solid choice for new players and those looking for a rugged acoustic-electric suitable for practice and performances. While more discerning ears may want additional bells and whistles, the VDS-13 sticks to the basics and delivers.