WINZZ AC309CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Winzz is a relatively new brand of acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars that offer exceptional value. The Winzz AC309CE is an acoustic-electric classical guitar that punches above its weight class in terms of looks, sound quality, and playability.

Winzz was founded just a few years ago with a focus on delivering premium acoustic guitars at affordable prices. They achieve this through direct-to-consumer sales that cut out the middleman markup. The AC309CE demonstrates their ability to make a fantastic beginner to intermediate level classical acoustic-electric without cutting corners.

While Winzz doesn't have the brand recognition of some of the big players in the acoustic guitar world yet, the AC309CE showcases the quality and attention to detail that's earning them many happy customers. This review will take a close look at the materials, construction, sound, and playability that make the AC309CE a great choice for players looking for an affordable nylon string acoustic-electric.

Appearance

The WINZZ AC309CE has a traditional concert shape and size, making it ideal for fingerstyle and classical players. Despite the small body, it still produces decent volume and projection thanks to the solid spruce top.

The AC309CE comes in a natural satin finish to show off the wood grain. The top is solid Engelmann spruce which has an even, light tan color. The back and sides are made from laminated mahogany with an attractive reddish-brown hue. The binding along the body is a clean white plastic.

Overall, the AC309CE has a simple but elegant look with its concert shape and satin finish. The combination of spruce and mahogany give it a nice blend of light and dark colors. While not as ornate as some nylon-string models, it still has refined details like the rosette around the soundhole and chrome tuners. Those wanting a no-frills acoustic-electric classical should appreciate its traditional appearance focused on playability and tone.

If you're looking for a different take on the acoustic-electric guitar, check out the Fender 374024592. This model has a stylish thinline semi-hollow body made from laminated maple, resulting in a light and comfortable feel during extended playing sessions. The slim neck profile is also great for players with smaller hands. Aesthetically, the 374024592 has some unique design cues like the asymmetrical headstock shape and control knobs angled parallel to the strings. The multiple finish options let you choose a distinctive look, from a transparent cherry burst to a sparkly jet blue. While it diverges from the traditional dreadnought or concert styles, the 374024592 still delivers classic Fender tone and playability in an accessible acoustic-electric package.

When it comes to appearance, guitars come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations. The specific design elements like body style, materials, finish, and hardware all contribute to the overall aesthetic. Ultimately the look of a guitar comes down to personal taste - what visual qualities appeal to your sensibilities? For some, a flashy metal flake finish and exotic tonewoods are must-haves. Others prefer a stripped-down, minimalist vibe. There's no right or wrong when finding a guitar that speaks to you visually. The most important factors are how comfortable it feels to play and if it produces the tones you're after. With so many models available today, you're sure to find an acoustic or acoustic-electric that matches your playing needs and fits your individual style.

Tonewood

The top, back and sides of the WINZZ AC309CE acoustic-electric guitar are made from mahogany, which is a popular wood choice for acoustic guitars. Mahogany produces a balanced tone that is well-rounded across the tonal spectrum. It offers warmth and richness in the low end, pleasant mids, and articulate highs. The mahogany construction gives the AC309CE a nice blend of power, clarity and sustain. Mahogany is also a fairly dense hardwood, so it offers plenty of projection to fill a room. The wood choice does not overly accentuate bass, treble or midrange, providing an even tonal response suitable to many playing styles and genres. Many guitarists prefer mahogany for its versatility and organic sound. Overall, the mahogany tonewood provides the AC309CE with a musical, well-balanced voice.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar like the WINZZ AC309CE, the tonewood is an important consideration. The wood used for the top, back and sides has a significant impact on the overall tonal character and sound projection. Mahogany is a popular choice among many guitarists for its balanced and well-rounded tone. However, there are other excellent options as well, such as the Cordoba C4-CE 02697. This model features solid Canadian cedar for the top along with mahogany back and sides. The combination produces a lush, warm and resonant tone with pronounced midrange response. The cedar top allows for excellent dynamics and articulation while the mahogany provides depth and richness. Together they create a nicely balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The Cordoba C4-CE 02697 would pair well with various musical styles and playing techniques. When shopping for an acoustic-electric, it is wise to play different models with various tonewood combinations. This allows you to find the right tonal profile to match your personal playing style and musical needs. The tonewood really impacts the overall voice and character of the instrument. See the Cordoba C4-CE 02697 for another quality option with a different tonal flavor than mahogany.

Neck

The Winzz AC309CE has a mahogany neck, which is known for its rich, warm tones that pair nicely with the spruce top. The neck width is standard for a classical guitar at 52mm at the nut. This gives comfortable room for fingerpicking chords and notes cleanly without buzzing.

The action on the Winzz is set medium-low from the factory. There is enough space between the strings and frets to allow clean fingering, but not so high that it requires pressing down hard or causes fatigue during longer practice sessions. The action can be adjusted easily by tweaking the truss rod if desired. Overall the neck feels fast and smooth during playing.

Hardware

The hardware on the WINZZ AC309CE is high quality and designed for optimal playability. The tuning machines are sealed die-cast tuners that keep the guitar in tune extremely well, even during heavy strumming or bending strings. The tuners turn smoothly and have a nice brushed chrome finish that matches the other hardware.

The bridge is a rosewood bridge with a compensated saddle for improved intonation, allowing each string to play in tune from the nut to the saddle. The saddle itself is made from quality bone. Overall the bridge design transfers vibration nicely from the strings to the top for full-sounding tones.

The pickguard is made from black ABS plastic and has a curved shape that hugs the top. It protects the top from pick scratches while looking sleek and blending in aesthetically. The controls for the pickup and tuner are mounted in the pickguard as well in an organized layout that makes them easy to access.

The hardware components work together seamlessly to make tuning hassle-free, improve intonation accuracy, and allow the guitar's voice to shine. The hardware is an important factor that contributes to making this an excellent playing and sounding acoustic-electric classical guitar.

Electronics

The WINZZ AC309CE features electronics designed to accurately reproduce the warm, rounded tone of the solid spruce top. It has an under-saddle piezo pickup that captures the guitar's natural acoustic resonance with clarity and balance across the tonal spectrum.

The preamp is a standard 3-band EQ with bass, mid, and treble controls, allowing you to shape your amplified tone. There is also an onboard chromatic tuner, so you can easily tune up before plugging in. The preamp includes a built-in reverb effect to add ambience and dimension to your sound.

Volume, tone, and reverb controls are located just inside the soundhole for quick adjustments while playing. The system runs on a 9V battery or can be powered via the endpin jack. Output is provided through a 1/4" jack, allowing you to plug directly into an amplifier or PA system.

The electronics have been designed to be flexible for playing live or recording scenarios while retaining the true unplugged sound of the guitar. The pickup and preamp deliver a clear amplified tone without excessive coloring.

Sound

The WINZZ AC309CE produces a bright, balanced tone with good volume and sustain thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The spruce top provides crisp highs and articulate bass, while the mahogany body adds warmth and resonance.

When plugged in, the onboard preamp and pickup system accurately reproduces the guitar's acoustic sound. The tone remains balanced across the frequency spectrum. There's enough volume on tap to keep up with drums and other acoustic instruments.

Sustain is also impressive for a guitar in this price range. Single notes and chords ring out for a satisfying duration. The mahogany neck and body contribute to the AC309CE's ability to hold notes longer.

Overall, the sound quality is excellent considering the budget-friendly price point. From traditional fingerpicking to aggressive strumming, the AC309CE holds its own tonally and projects well in both amplified and unplugged scenarios. It punches above its weight class.

Playability

The Winzz AC309CE excels when it comes to playability. The nylon strings and wide nut width make it very comfortable to play, even for long practice sessions. The neck has a smooth satin finish which lets your fingers glide effortlessly up and down the fretboard.

The acoustic-electric body is well balanced, so the guitar doesn't feel neck heavy or body heavy. You can easily play seated or standing with the guitar properly balanced. The slim neck profile and low action allow for very easy fingering of chords and scales across the entire fretboard.

The cutaway body allows easy access to the higher frets, making the Winzz comfortable for playing solos and lead parts. The nylon strings have a very smooth feel, and the action is set up perfectly out of the box. Overall, the Winzz AC309CE is a joy to play for any level or style of acoustic guitar playing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid and durable construction with spruce top and mahogany back and sides
• Clear and balanced tone across all registers
• Electronics allow plugging into an amp or PA system
• Comes with gig bag for protection during transport
• Affordably priced for a beginner acoustic-electric

Cons

• Action may be too high for some players right out of the box
• Electronics and equalization are basic and lack tone shaping features
• Unfinished neck may feel rough or sticky to some players
• Laminated sides do not resonate as well as solid wood
• Limited ornamentation and plain appearance

Overall, the Winzz AC309CE is a reasonably priced acoustic-electric guitar for aspiring players looking to amplify their acoustic tone. While the build quality and electronics are fairly basic, it produces a balanced acoustic tone and allows players to plug in for performances or recording. Some setup work may be required to lower the action for comfortable playability. The laminated sides don't produce as complex tones as solid wood, but they help keep costs down. For beginners looking for an affordable way to amplify their acoustic guitar practice and jam sessions, the Winzz AC309CE gets the job done. More advanced players may want to consider upgrading to a model with solid wood construction and higher-end electronics in the future.

Verdict

Overall, the WINZZ AC309CE is an excellent entry-level acoustic-electric guitar for beginners and casual players. With its classic dreadnought body shape, solid spruce top, and mahogany back and sides, it produces a balanced and resonant acoustic tone. The slim neck and low action make it very playable right out of the box.

The built-in preamp and piezo pickup allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for live performances or recording. The passive EQ controls give you some tonal shaping options. The tuner is handy for quick tuning adjustments on the fly.

Considering the attractive price point, the AC309CE punches above its weight in terms of build quality, playability, and amplified acoustic tone. It's a great choice for new guitarists looking for an affordable all-in-one acoustic-electric model. The onboard electronics also make it suitable for gigging musicians on a budget.

More advanced players may want to look at premium models with solid wood construction throughout and higher-end preamp systems. But for most recreational players, the WINZZ AC309CE is an excellent value proposition that balances quality and cost. It's an ideal acoustic-electric for practice, jamming with friends, open mic nights, and other casual music-making scenarios.