Freshman 500 Series Review

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JC CHRISTIE's Review of Freshman 500 Series acoustic guitar

28th Mar 2009

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Appearance
    5 stars
  • Sound Quality
    5 stars
  • Reviewer's Musical Standard
    Advanced

I went looking for a Martin D28 or D35 or possibly a Gibson SJ100 but after playing every guitar in the shop during the course of a long afternoon I came out with the Freshman FA500JCE. Not only did this guitar look the part, its tonality and playability knocked everything else into a cocked hat. At fifteen hundred pounds sterling it wasn't exactly cheap, but you do get an awful lot for your money - Triple grade "A" sitka spruce top, rosewood back and sides, ebony fretboard, bone nut and saddle, and as an added bonus, the wonderful Schertler sound hole dual system pick-up. This guitar is a full sized jumbo but compared with the Gibsons and the Faiths it feels quite compact under the arm; it is beautifully balanced and superbly set up, giving the player total control. The thing which really sells this guitar is the incredible presence of tone. Play it gently and it provides an amazing intimacy with almost spiritual undertones - play it hard, and the sound is simply awsome! Incredible volume but without the harsh jangles and hard bark of a dreadnought. In fact, it is more like a giant 000 grand auditorium on steroids. I play gentle jazz and hard aggressive blues, and for me this guitar is perfect, fitting both criteria with ease and sophistication. The build quality is superb, which for a gigging pro on the road five nights out of seven, is extremely reassuring. Do I think this is a good guitar? Yes I do. Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely and without reservation. Do I think it is expensive? No, I don't - it represents incredible value for money and it looks better and plays better than some guitars costing a £1000 more in my opinion. Do I have any links with the Freshman guitar company? No, none at all whatsoever. A small niggle, but I would have appreciated a strap stud on the heel. Having said that, having to use a strap secured to the machine head seems to give the player a lot more control.

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