Vangoa VA20CE NT12 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Vangoa VA20CE NT12 is an acoustic-electric guitar designed for beginning players or musicians looking for an affordable option. It features a classic dreadnought body shape made of a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides. The guitar offers a full and balanced sound thanks to its quality wood construction. The acoustic-electric design with an integrated preamp and tuner allows you to connect to an amplifier or PA system for more projection. Overall, the VA20CE NT12 delivers solid tone and playability at a very reasonable price point, making it a great choice for students, hobbyists, or anyone looking to buy their first acoustic-electric guitar.

Construction

The Vangoa VA20CE NT12 features an all-laminate construction with mahogany back and sides. The top is made from laminated spruce which produces a balanced and warm tone.

The guitar has a C-shaped maple neck with a walnut fretboard and pearl inlays. The fretboard has a radius of 12" which makes it comfortable to play. The neck joints the body at the 14th fret in a smooth transition.

Overall the VA20CE NT12 has a natural satin finish that enhances resonance while protecting against scratches and dings. The smooth finish on the neck also promotes fast and comfortable playing up and down the fretboard.

The laminate woods and quality construction allow the guitar to open up nicely over time as it is played. It's built to be a durable workhorse instrument that can hold up to regular practice and performances. The construction and design elements work together to produce great sound and playability. With proper care this acoustic-electric guitar should provide many years of musical enjoyment.

In addition to the Vangoa, another quality acoustic-electric to consider is the Gretsch G9240 2718013503. This guitar features a laminated maple body with a solid spruce top to project sound. The neck is nato wood with a 12"-radius laurel fingerboard for smooth playability. It has a classic single-cutaway dreadnought body shape.

The Gretsch G9240 produces clear articulate tones across the tonal spectrum. The Fishman pickup and preamp system accurately reproduces the natural acoustic sound when plugging into an amplifier. Tone shaping controls allow dialing in just the right amount of bass, midrange, and treble.

Like the Vangoa, the Gretsch G9240 2718013503 uses quality tonewoods and construction methods. It's designed to be a working musician's guitar that can handle the demands of gigs and studio work. The slim neck profile and smooth fingerboard enhance playability and make this a very comfortable guitar to play.

When shopping for an acoustic-electric guitar, it's worth comparing different models across various price points. While more expensive guitars often use solid wood construction, laminates have improved greatly in recent years. The combination of materials, craftsmanship, and electronics all impact the final sound and playability of the instrument.

Whether choosing the Vangoa, Gretsch, or another model, look for an acoustic-electric guitar that inspires you to play your best. Make sure to test drive the guitar thoroughly before purchasing, and consider having a professional setup done after buying to optimize playability. With proper care and maintenance, a quality acoustic-electric guitar can provide many years of musical enjoyment.

Sound Quality

The Vangoa VA20CE NT12 produces a balanced and warm tone, thanks to its combination of mahogany back and sides with a spruce top. This classic tonewood pairing allows the guitar to deliver a nice resonance and sustain.

The action on this model is set quite low, which makes it very easy and comfortable to play. The low action allows for easy fretting and barre chords. However, the downside is the strings can buzz slightly on the lower frets if playing more aggressively.

The mahogany back and sides give this acoustic-electric a mellow and rounded bass, with a clear and articulate mid-range and bright treble from the spruce top. It's a versatile tonal palette that works well for various styles, from strumming chords to fingerpicking melodies.

The guitar has impressive sustain and resonance for the price point. Notes ring out with a pleasing bloom. Chords have richness and complexity that belies the Vangoa's budget-friendly cost. Overall an excellent sounding acoustic guitar at this affordable price range.

If you're looking for another quality, affordable acoustic-electric guitar, check out the Epiphone PPGS-ENA2AANH3-US. This instrument from Epiphone's Performer series also delivers great bang for your buck. It has a layered sapele back and sides along with a select spruce top, for balanced and detailed acoustic tone. The Fishman Sonitone preamp gives you flexible controls over your amplified sound. And it comes with a cutaway for easier access to higher frets.

Like the Vangoa, the Epiphone PPGS-ENA2AANH3-US is an affordable acoustic-electric with quality construction and components. Between its laminated sapele body and Fishman electronics, it can handle both acoustic playing and plugged-in gigs. The neck has a comfortable SlimTaper "D" profile that makes it easy to wrap your fingers around. And you get a smooth laurel fingerboard and bridge, plus chrome die-cast tuners.

This Epiphone acoustic-electric comes in three great looking finishes - Natural, Vintage Sunburst, and Ebony. It's an excellent entry-level electro acoustic that plays well and sounds fantastic when amplified. If you want a budget-friendly guitar with stage-ready features, the PPGS-ENA2AANH3-US is worth checking out alongside the Vangoa VA20CE NT12.

Electronics

The VA20CE NT12 features an under-saddle piezo pickup that accurately captures the guitar's acoustic tone. The pickup is wired to simple volume and tone controls, allowing you to easily shape your amplified sound.

The volume knob controls the overall output level, while the tone knob lets you dial in more bass or treble as desired. The controls are conveniently located just inside the soundhole for quick adjustments on the fly.

The output jack is a standard 1/4" type, allowing you to plug into an amplifier or PA system. Simply run a cable from the jack to your amp or mixer to amplify your acoustic tone.

The preamp runs on a single 9V battery, accessible via the back plate. A fresh alkaline battery will provide hours of playing time before needing to be replaced. The preamp only draws power when plugged in, preserving battery life when unplugged.

Overall, the electronics offer a no-frills approach focused on pure acoustic amplification. The under-saddle pickup and simple controls get the job done without introducing excessive gadgetry.

Playability

The neck profile on the VA20CE NT12 is slim and comfortable for most hands. It has a gloss finish which allows for smooth, fast transitions up and down the neck. The nut width is 43mm, which is a standard width that provides enough spacing between strings for comfortable chord formations and single note playing without feeling too crowded.

Many budget acoustics can have sharp fret ends but the VA20CE NT12 fretwork is done well with smoothly finished ends. The action out of the box is set medium-low which makes playing requires less pressure and faster play is easier across the fretboard. This guitar feels great right away without needing a professional setup.

The VA20CE NT12 is lightweight thanks to its mahogany back and sides. This helps make the guitar comfortable to play even during longer practice or performance sessions. The body shape has comfortable contouring that fits nicely against your body. Overall the VA20CE NT12 rates very highly for its playability and comfortable feel.

Hardware

The hardware on the Vangoa VA20CE NT12 acoustic-electric guitar includes quality components that enhance the playability and sound.

The guitar features die-cast chrome enclosed tuning machines with pearl buttons. These tuning machines keep the guitar in tune well and look great with the chrome finish. The tuning stability allows for accurate tuning and reduced frustration.

The nut and saddle are both made from NuBone, an artificial bone material known for resonant tone. The NuBone nut promotes accurate note definition, while the saddle enhances vibrations and sustain. Together they help transfer string vibrations efficiently.

The VA20CE NT12 has a rosewood bridge which complements the rosewood fingerboard. Rosewood is a dense tropical wood that provides excellent transfer of string vibrations into the top wood. The material gives the guitar balanced and full-bodied sound.

Overall, the hardware components on this Vangoa acoustic-electric guitar are high quality and designed to produce great tone while making the guitar easy to play and keep in tune. The chrome tuners, NuBone nut/saddle, and rosewood bridge give players a versatile instrument perfect for practice, performance, or recording.

Value

The Vangoa VA20CE NT12 offers excellent value, especially for beginner and intermediate players looking for a quality acoustic-electric guitar at an affordable price point.

At around $100, this guitar costs significantly less than most major brand acoustic-electrics, which often start above $300. For a guitar with solid wood construction, built-in electronics, and overall good playability, the Vangoa VA20CE NT12 is very competitively priced.

It includes the basics you need to start playing, such as a nylon gig bag for protection and portability. Some users may want to upgrade to a hard case for added security. It does not come with any accessories like a tuner, strings, picks, etc. So some extra purchases may be required for a full set-up.

Overall, considering the all-wood body and neck, pick-up and preamp system, and respectable components, the Vangoa offers excellent value. While it may lack some bells and whistles, it delivers impressive quality and playability for the money. For new players or those on a tight budget, it is a very affordable way to get an acoustic-electric without compromising too much on durability and sound.

Pros

• The Vangoa VA20CE NT12 offers an excellent balance of warm, rich tones and bright, crisp highs. The solid mahogany top produces a full, resonant sound with plenty of bass.

• This guitar has great electronics and preamp controls that allow you to shape your amplified tone. The 3-band EQ gives you boost/cut control over low, mid, and high frequencies.

• For the price, you get a very playable acoustic-electric guitar. The neck is comfortable with a smooth satin finish, and the action is set up well out of the box. Intonation is accurate up and down the fretboard.

Cons

• The strings it comes with seem to be lower quality and may need to be replaced soon after purchasing. The included strings can start to rust and deteriorate rather quickly.

• The intonation and action may need adjustment out of the box. Many users report the need to do a setup on this guitar before it plays in tune and feels comfortable up and down the neck. Be prepared to need a pro setup.

• The electronics and preamp are very basic and may not satisfy players looking for more advanced acoustic-electric features. The EQ is minimal and it's hard to get a range of amplified tones. The pickup and preamp combo works but lacks versatility.

Summary

The Vangoa VA20CE NT12 is an affordable, entry-level acoustic-electric guitar that offers decent sound and playability for the price. This guitar is best suited for beginner and intermediate players looking for an acoustic-electric on a budget.

The VA20CE NT12 features a solid mahogany top, back and sides which provide good resonance and balanced tone. The slim neck profile and smooth fretwork make it comfortable to hold and play. The onboard preamp and pickup system allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for live performance.

Overall, the Vangoa VA20CE NT12 is a good value in the sub-$150 acoustic-electric guitar market. It's an excellent choice as a first guitar for new players, or as an affordable grab-and-go acoustic for jamming and practice. The electronics add versatility for playing live shows or recording demos. More advanced players may want to consider spending up for a guitar with better build quality and richer sound. But for the price, the VA20CE NT12 gets the job done.