Submitted by rmodel (see all reviews from this person) on 11/17/2009

Where Purchased: Beard Guitars

Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: 1500.00 + ($US)

Sound

only a beginner - bluegrass, gospel, old country
fits all genres well.
loud

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

guitar was set up to Beards exacting standards, no changes needed

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

beautifulllllllllllllllllllllll
mahogany with maple binding
fit and finish superb

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

9 months of daily playing with no signs of wear or problems anywhere. Tuners were upgraded from standard by Beard shop. Holds tunings forever even under string bending. Came with Beard strings which seem to be excellent, will rate a ten even though only have 9 months playing time.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

folks at Beard are extremely friendly and helpful. Dealt with both Howard and Chet. Straight shooters and customer oriented.
originally bought a PBSD which developed a slight seperation at the heel, traded it back to them toward the R. They were very accomodating and fair throughout this entire process. Had to wait a bit for the R model to be finished but well worth the wait.

Customer Service: 10

Components

nothing cheap here, Beard internals

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

very pleased. I did not start playing stringed instruments until I was 48 years old. When my son was younger I bought him a Sigma Martin guitar, which I thought looked, sounded good. When he got a little older he saved up and bought a "real" Martin. I asked him if the more expensive one sounded better than the imported one. I think he was sort of exasperated that I couldn't tell the difference. Since taking up stringed instruments I have come to appreciate the workmanship of quality instruments. I owned a few cheap mandolins then bought a Weber. WOW. same feeling with the Beard, after playing some cheapo's, the R model is like comparing a Ford Fiesta to a Lincoln Continental.

Overall Rating: 10