BADEN A STYLE REVIEW

[SMixon]

Hey Guys,
  Sorry I have posted or commented in a while, but here goes. Recently BluesMan1 and I worked out a deal and I was able to aquire his Baden A Style Rosewood.  Thanks again Jeff!!! Much Appreciated!
Here is the Low down.  I'm not going to hit all the specs as you can visit www.badenguitars.com for them.

Right out of the case this thing was still in tune from being shipped in colder weather to the Humidity of North Carolina. European Spruce top and Rosewood back and sides.  Bone Nut and Saddle and ebony bridge bins help give this guitar  great touch sensitivity to fingerstyle,rythm or flat picking.  It has a very bluesy sound if you want and I have found it to be just about the most versital guitar that I have played to date! (Honestly)
Almost 5 inches deep gives some unbelievable sustain and big boom if you need it.  All in all I cannot say enough about these guitars.  I was a little skeptical at first of a new company, but this guitar rocks.  I did have a Fishman Ellipse VT installed which fits nicely inside the sound hole.  That is the same pick-up option that comes available on these guitars and the saddle slot was already pre-drilled when the luthier checked it out.  The sound is a little tight, but that is o.k. since it has some opening up to do over the next several months.  Hope this helps with anyone looking at one of these!

Sorry no pics yet.  Very busy

Mix

[Strings4Him]

I own an A-style Mahogany (cedar top/mahogany b&s).  I agree that these are incredible guitars.  You can buy these at great prices from Jim Holler at Trinity Guitars.  Isn't it nice that we are living during the Golden Age of Luthiery!

[bluesman67]

Congratulations Mix.  I love a story with a happy ending.  Enjoy your new guitar.

bluesman67 (not to be confused with bluesman1, jeff)

[SMixon]

I have a feeling that once the economy picks up and these guitars are able to get some more exposure, the prices will start to climb up again.  

[Strings4Him]

I agree!

[Mikeymac]

I own an A-style Mahogany (cedar top/mahogany b&s).  I agree that these are incredible guitars.  You can buy these at great prices from Jim Holler at Trinity Guitars.  Isn't it nice that we are living during the Golden Age of Luthiery!

Can you say more about the tone of your mahogany one? I've inquired with Jim at Trinity about ordering a lefty, and I have to go "sight-unseen/sound-unheard," without trying out several different models side-by-side, so I'd appreciate any comments...thanks. How does the tone compare to Larrivees?  I'm not a big fan of Taylor's and I know TJ Baden worked at Taylor for years...

I've yet to hear a really good sample of of the tone of these on youtube - even the ones put out there by Baden aren't very well recorded, which makes me nervous.

[BluesMan1]

   Mix, I still have lots of pics if you want a few posted. Let me know & am glad you're digging it. Wasn't sure since I didn't hear anything after the deal. And BM67, thanks for clarifying that. Don't want to get confused as being me!
     Jeff

[Strings4Him]

Can you say more about the tone of your mahogany one? I've inquired with Jim at Trinity about ordering a lefty, and I have to go "sight-unseen/sound-unheard," without trying out several different models side-by-side, so I'd appreciate any comments...thanks. How does the tone compare to Larrivees?  I'm not a big fan of Taylor's and I know TJ Baden worked at Taylor for years...

I've yet to hear a really good sample of of the tone of these on youtube - even the ones put out there by Baden aren't very well recorded, which makes me nervous.

Tone is a difficult thing to describe.  The Baden A-style is light in terms of weight.  It is very responsive to fingerstyle and soft strumming.  I would say it is comparable to any other high-end factory-made guitar.  You can listen to several clips of music on Baden's website (www.badenguitars.com), although the style of guitar is not noted.  The economy has hurt Baden's list price.  I am sure it will recover somewhat.  But, now is the time to get one if you're able.

[jerrysleftyguitars]

Can you say more about the tone of your mahogany one? I've inquired with Jim at Trinity about ordering a lefty, and I have to go "sight-unseen/sound-unheard," without trying out several different models side-by-side, so I'd appreciate any comments...thanks. How does the tone compare to Larrivees?  I'm not a big fan of Taylor's and I know TJ Baden worked at Taylor for years...

I've yet to hear a really good sample of of the tone of these on youtube - even the ones put out there by Baden aren't very well recorded, which makes me nervous.

I've had all the A Style wood choices in lefty except Koa (that will be here next week), and so far the Mahogany/Cedar was my favorite. Loud, crisp, and clear. Perfect fingerstyle guitar. These are the size of a Larrivee OM, but an inch deeper, so more bass and volume.

[Strings4Him]

Well said Jerry.  I was thinking of trading my Baden A-style Cedar/Mahogany plus some others toward a Larrivee SD-50, but I think I might sit on the Baden.  Thanks for your 2 cents.   

[Mikeymac]

I've had all the A Style wood choices in lefty except Koa (that will be here next week), and so far the Mahogany/Cedar was my favorite. Loud, crisp, and clear. Perfect fingerstyle guitar. These are the size of a Larrivee OM, but an inch deeper, so more bass and volume.

Yes, thanks for the description.

[SMixon]

Hey Guys,
  Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  One thing I really dig about this guitar is that I've pretty much always played Dreads and this guitars size is much more comfortable for me, but it also has about 5inches of depth in the body giving it some killer sound/projection.  I do think they are in a class all their own with a newer design. They definitly have their own sound! I Dig!

[BluesMan1]

   Just to add a little. TJ tried to make a guitar that wasn't a Taylor & just didn't sound like one. I'd say it has a little Martin sound to it, combined with all good from Taylor. Is a versatile guitar, just had to sell it to help finance other things & put back some house money. I'll post a few pics of Mix's new friend. Only thing missing for most was the Infinity system, which I could do w/o. Others want a P/U to fill their needs. Feel the same about the popularity of these. Should go up in value when better recognized by more!
     Jeff

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[BluesMan1]

   One more thing. Josh, TJ's right-hand man, told me that the "A" models have a back that's not a normal one. Look @ the pic of the back & notice where the joint line is. Off-center, where the cutaway is. Something they did to make the guitar stronger & the back more stable. TJ put alot of thought into the design of these guitars, I think trying to get away from Taylor as much as possible. He was a CEO in the R & D dept. @ Taylor. Has lots of experience in designing innovative things. This guitar is simple, the fanciest thing being the teeny bone piece @ the top of the soundhole. Am glad it went to someone that really likes it!
     Jeff

[Strings4Him]

I have the A-style Cedar/Mahogany gloss.  It is an incredible guitar.  The detail in its construction is meticulous. 

[SMixon]

I will 2nd the detail in the construction!!! Amazing!

[BluesMan1]

   Shannon, I'm really glad you are enjoying the guitar so much. One thing that amazed me also was the construction of it. Every seam, joint, etc. done perfectly. And, a sound that can compete when played in a jam. One loud guitar. Balanced. Bright. Bass. An amazing git for the price this economy has driven it to!
     Jeff

[dkoloff]

I had the d style in the Mahogany........very nice guitar partularly for the money. Sold it to get one of my carbon guitars but I would defintely get another Baden. I think the Martin/Taylor comparisons are valid if you split it down the middle......it had more the tone a a Gibson slope shoulder than either of the others if you look for similarity.