GEWA PS510170 Classical Guitar: Full Review

to the GEWA PS510170 Classical Guitar

The GEWA PS510170 is a performance-level classical guitar made by the German company GEWA Music GmbH. Handmade in Europe, this concert guitar combines quality construction with rich tone at an accessible price point.

Featuring a solid European spruce top and Indian rosewood sides and back, the PS510170 delivers a balanced sound with crystal-clear trebles, meaty mids, and robust bass. The rosewood fretboard and bridge provide a smooth feel during play. Visually, the warm brown tone of the rosewood contrasts elegantly against the lighter spruce top.

Overall, the GEWA PS510170 punches above its weight with impressive playability and resonant sound. While not the most high-end instrument, this thoughtfully constructed guitar offers intermediate to advanced players excellent value. The PS510170 works well for solo practice, ensemble playing, and on stage.

Construction

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar features a solid European spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The use of solid spruce provides volume and responsiveness, while the rosewood contributes to rich, warm tones.

The neck is made of mahogany, a popular choice for classical guitars thanks to its stability and balanced tone. It is joined to the body at the 12th fret for comfortable upper fret access. The fingerboard and bridge are both rosewood.

Overall, the combination of tonewoods results in a handmade instrument capable of the balanced, nuanced sound expected from a high-quality classical guitar. While not the most exotic or expensive woods available, they are time-tested choices that highlight the traditional aesthetics and voice of the classical guitar.

When it comes to classical guitars, the choice of woods and construction is key to achieving the desired tone and playability. Many luthiers stick to traditional tonewood combinations that have proven effective over centuries of guitar making. The spruce and rosewood combo on the GEWA model delivers the typical balanced and warm classical guitar sound.

However, some modern luthiers are beginning to experiment with alternative woods, such as cedar, koa or maple. The Martin LX1 is one example that substitutes Hawaiian koa for rosewood on the back and sides. Koa has a bright, sweet tone that adds a contemporary edge to the classical sound. While traditional woods emphasize the midrange, koa boosts treble notes and overtones.

The LX1 model from Martin also has a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany neck and ebony fretboard. So it retains some conventional elements while putting its own spin on the classical formula. This shows how small spec changes can make a distinct impact on the voice and response of the instrument. The guitar is still suitable for classical repertoire, but offers added crispness and clarity.

When evaluating different classical guitar models, construction specifics like bracing patterns, neck joints and bridge styles also influence the final character of the instrument. So small design choices by the luthier all contribute to the uniqueness of each instrument. While respecting time-honored traditions, some innovation allows modern classical guitars to expand the range of available tones.

With its responsiveness and balanced voice, the GEWA classical guitar embodies the traditional sound aesthetic. Models like the unique Martin LX1 demonstrate how contemporary luthiers continue building on tradition, honoring it while allowing room for creativity. For classical guitarists, it's an exciting time where both new and old can coexist and interact to form fresh perspectives within this storied genre.

Playability

The GEWA PS510 has excellent playability thanks to its comfortable neck width and low string action. The neck width measures 52mm at the nut, which is a standard and comfortable width for most classical guitar players. Wider necks can feel clunky and difficult to navigate, while overly narrow necks don't allow enough room between strings. The GEWA hits the sweet spot with its 52mm nut width.

The string action, or the distance between the strings and fingerboard, is also set very low from the factory. Lower action allows for easier pressing of notes and faster runs without buzzing. Higher action can lead to pain and fatigue in the left hand during longer playing sessions. The PS510's low action right out of the box means every note sings clearly with little effort. Players looking for an immediately comfortable and playable instrument will appreciate the GEWA's optimized neck width and string height.

In addition to its comfortable neck and low action, the GEWA PS510 offers excellent tone and projection. The solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced, nuanced classical guitar tone. The PS510 punches above its price point when it comes to volume and sustain. Players who need a louder instrument for performing or practicing with groups will appreciate the projection from this affordable model.

While the GEWA PS510 is an excellent choice for playability and tone, players interested in a wider range of tone options may want to consider the Ibanez GRG131DXBKF. This electric classical guitar features an onboard preamp with EQ controls for shaping the tone. The slim neck and low action facilitate fast playing across the fingerboard, while the piezo pickup captures the nuance of nylon strings. Electric options like the Ibanez allow for amplified tones perfect for stage use. However, the GEWA PS510 is hard to beat in terms of pure acoustic playability and projection in its price range.

Tone

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar produces a warm, rich tone with excellent projection and resonance. The solid spruce top provides crisp treble notes with complex overtones, while the Indian rosewood back and sides add depth and bass response.

When playing, the guitar projects sound clearly without needing heavy strumming or picking. Even delicate fingerstyle tones carry well across the room. The mahogany neck and ebony fretboard also contribute to a balanced tone.

Bass notes have a full-bodied resonance without sounding boomy. The guitar provides a balanced tone across the frequency range, allowing melody lines to sing out with clarity. Classical guitarists will appreciate the complex mix of harmonics and ability to bring out different voices through articulation and dynamics.

The quality materials and construction allow the PS510170 to offer an impressive tonal palette suitable for any style of classical repertoire from Bach to modern composers. It captures the nuances of tone and touch that are essential for classical guitar performance.

Design

The Gewa PS510170 classical guitar features an attractive and traditional design with a fan-braced European spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides.

The guitar has the expected classical body shape with a rounded lower bout, curving waist, and wide upper bout. This provides a balanced and comfortable feel whether playing seated or standing.

The rosette pattern consists of three black-white-black rings around the soundhole. This simple but elegant design allows the beautiful wood grains of the spruce top to stand out.

Overall the design prioritizes playability and tone over ornamentation. The lack of excessive decorative binding or inlay keeps the focus on the high quality woods and construction. Players who prefer a more minimalist aesthetic will appreciate this guitar's refined yet understated look.

Hardware

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar features high-quality hardware that allows for smooth and stable tuning. The tuning machines are sealed die-cast chrome with an 18:1 gear ratio, providing precise and accurate tuning. They hold the strings firmly in place even during vigorous playing.

The nut and saddle on the GEWA PS510170 are both made from bone. This is an ideal material that transfers string vibrations well while providing just the right amount of grip on the strings. The bone nut and saddle help produce a warm, rounded tone from the guitar. The nut width of 52mm gives comfortable room for fingering chords and notes up the neck.

Overall, the hardware components on the GEWA PS510170 are thoughtfully designed and well-made. Tuning stability is excellent thanks to the quality sealed tuners. The bone nut and saddle also contribute to the guitar's pleasant resonance and playability.

Comfort

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar offers exceptional comfort and playability thanks to its lightweight construction and excellent balance. The guitar weighs just 2.2 lbs, making it one of the lightest concert-style classical guitars available. This low weight makes the guitar easy to hold and play for long periods without fatigue.

The guitar's body shape and dimensions are designed to be ergonomic and comfortable. The curves contour nicely to the player's body, with no sharp edges digging in. The neck has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast, comfortable movement up and down the fingerboard. The width of the neck is ideal for most hand sizes.

The guitar exhibits near-perfect weight distribution and balance. The guitar's center of mass aligns naturally with the player's own center of gravity when seated. This makes the guitar feel like an extension of the player's body. The strap buttons are optimally positioned to provide ideal weight balance between both shoulders when playing standing up. Overall, the comfort and effortless playability of this classical guitar make it a joy to play.

Durability: Built to Last

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar is designed for longevity and able to withstand years of regular playing and transport. Its all-solid wood construction from quality tonewoods makes it sturdy and resistant to cracks or warping. The guitar's materials and build quality ensure it can endure changes in temperature and humidity without damage. Users report the GEWA holding up well over time without debilitating issues. While any instrument requires proper care, the GEWA PS510170 is crafted to provide a lifetime of rich classical guitar sound. Its sturdy hard shell case further protects the guitar during storage and travel. Players invest in a GEWA because it's an instrument for life.

Great Value for the Price

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar offers excellent value relative to other guitars in its price range. Though not the cheapest student model available, it is very competitively priced given the quality of materials and construction.

The all-solid wood build makes this guitar comparable to models costing significantly more from other major brands like Yamaha and Cordoba. Many guitars around this price point will cut costs by using laminate woods, especially for the back and sides. The PS510170's solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides help contribute to its surprisingly full and balanced tone.

This guitar also comes equipped with premium appointments not always found at this price, including an Indian rosewood fretboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and gold Gotoh tuners. These fittings help optimize playability and allow the guitar to stay in tune well. Upgrading to similar specs on a cheaper guitar could easily cost over $100 in parts and professional setup fees.

Considering its all-solid wood body, quality hardware and electronics, and impressive tone and playability, the GEWA PS510170 classical guitar punches far above its weight class. Students and advancing players will be hard pressed to find a better value model.

Summary

The GEWA PS510170 classical guitar offers an excellent value for intermediate players looking for a handmade instrument with professional features. Though not as ornate as more expensive models, it provides very good playability, tone, and construction quality at this price point.

The spruce and mahogany body produces a nicely balanced sound across the tonal spectrum. The smooth neck and comfortable body size facilitate intricate fingering and prolonged playing sessions without fatigue. While the hardware and fittings are basic, they function well and seem durable.

Overall, this is a recommended choice for developing classical guitarists and enthusiasts on a budget. The top-notch playability and well-rounded tone make it perfect for diverse repertoire and practice. Though the decor is plain, the materials and craftsmanship are great for the price. This could be a lifelong instrument for many players.

On the downside, those wanting more decorative appointments may be disappointed. The lack of cutaway also limits high fret access. Upgrading to a higher model would provide even better sound projection and a wider tonal palette. However, at this very reasonable price point, the GEWA PS510170 classical guitar offers fantastic quality and musicality.