Freshman 500 Series Reviews

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5 stars
Average rating for this product is: 5 out of 5

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Average Ratings for Freshman 500 Series

  • Sound Quality4.8 stars
  • Appearance4.5 stars
  • Value for Money5 stars
  • Overall rating5 stars

3 Reviews For Freshman 500 Series

  • JC CHRISTIE 28th Mar 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    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.

  • josielloyd 2nd Apr 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Freshman FA 500dce I went into the shop to try Taylors and Martins around £2000 but I couldnt put this baby down, iw was crisper, and clearer and just more lovely to play than anything else there, I left because I had intended buying a "name" as well as a guitar, but returned a week later to purchase and am well pleased. I'd like a strap fastening thing on the body I cant do with straps going up around the top of the neck and the case is spectacular!

  • syncopater Rank: Lance Corporal 16th Mar 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    When i first saw Freshman guitars I assumed that they were another budget range of average guitars. I was so so wrong. I played the FA500GA grand auditorium model in a music store yesterday. As an experienced acoustic guitarist I have tried loads of guitars, including many high end ones. This is up there with the best but at half the price. The sound was frankly astounding with rich full tones on every string. Resonant basses and rare fat trebles. The playability was wonderful. I could hardly p ...

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