Oakland 600

This Oakland 600 dreadnought acoustic was made in China in 2006.

It has 20 frets. The neck joins the body at the 14th fret.

This is an all-solid wood guitar. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides. Mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

All the body and neck binding is of maple.

The soundhole rosette is simple and decorative, in abalone.

All is finished in an exemplorary gloss.

These guitars are distributed by Oakland Guitars, of Glasgow

The guitar came very well set up, from the shop. The excellent thing is that with all it's tone and volume, it still has a relaxed feel to it. Plenty of room for vibrato and expression.

Appearance wise, it is conventional but classy. All the woods are top quality and blend to make a classic whole. The wood binding and gold machineheads (possibly Schaller?) just finish things wonderfully. No flaws I could discern.

I tried this guitar against a Taylor that costs twice the price, some Samicks and Simon & Patricks, a lovely Tokai, a high end Washburn and a Faith dread. All the others had their good, and in some cases, excellent points. But the Oakland had the best tone for me, winning fairly convincingly.

It justs looks, feels and sounds leagues above it's price tag.

I'd give it a 9.5, 'cause nothing is perfect.