I realize this is exactly 180° from what this forum is meant for, but I tried looking in more "appropriate" forums and the signal-to-noise ratio there was extremely low. I figure if nothing else, we could get a discussion going, and maybe all learn a thing or two.
Orangewood Guitars is a maker of acoustic guitars based in California. They only sell direct to the public via the web. This is a deal-killer for those who absolutely must get their hands on a guitar before parting with their money, but the price range of their guitars make them quite attractive. Maybe not as a primary guitar (but that could also be a bias on my part), but certainly as a "replaceable" guitar should it come to that.
My interest (and my GAS) was sparked by some glowing comments I read about their "parlor" size guitar. They call it the Dana (all their guitars have human-ish names). In particular, the Dana Mahogany.
This is $135US shipped (only to the USA). Comes with Ernie Ball strings, a pickguard (self-applicable), bone nut and saddle and a gig bag. NOTE: If the pickguard is applied, the guitar is non-returnable. The wood is "layered mahogany," which I assume means a laminate.
What's key to me is that it's a 14-fret guitar. I have a Gretsch G9500 "Jim Dandy" that I think is a terrific guitar, given its size, but it's only 12 frets, and I find myself hampered by this at times. Given the rise in prices, the Dana is now actually about $50 cheaper than the Gretsch. And it includes a gig bag!
Each Orangewood guitar is given a proper setup before it's shipped to the customer. The Dana is among the smallest and cheapest (their most expensive runs about $1195). The Oliver Jr. runs about $90 more, but it's a solid top, not layered. I've heard it compares favorably to Taylor's GS Mini (of which I also own one).
So, what do you think? $135 isn't going to break my bank, but I don't really need another guitar. In fact, I'm running out of room for them! And I have a custom-made guitar coming "real soon now," as the software guys used to promise.
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