This review book is printed with FSC™ COC certified paper and eco-friendly soy ink. PMKMW2202 Worldwide Magazine Reviews Printed in Taiwan ©2012 Walden Guitars PMKM-W2202 & Artist/Owner Testimonials waldenguitars.com My Music. My World. My Choice. A day with Walden

It's 9 a.m. at the biggest pub in Estonia, in the biggest summer resort in the country, but it's raining, the room is filled with harmonicas and lederhosen, we've been driving since 6 o'clock, and the coffee machine is broken.

Our harmonica festival shows aren't scheduled to start before the evening but our harpist has insisted on entering the competition; Indrek's jittery and I'm sleepy, yet he walks away with silver. A fellow musician points to my T550 and says: "The bass lines were pre-recorded, right?" "Nah, just me and my Walden." Dennis, the American whom we're to back that evening, is still recovering from a late night, so we're off for pancakes in the rain.

Ten hours later Dennis and I are on the concert hall stage with my guitar partner Martin, winging it in front of TV cameras and trying to look as worried as the black-tie audience. "I learned a new song tonight," Dennis brags backstage. "We learned two," I shoot back. "Well, I'll have two more for you tomorrow," he grins. A grey-haired gentleman in an impeccably white suit walks up and says,"Thank you very much! My wife insisted that I tell you: your playing

Photo: Leif Laaksonen on that slow blues was so beautiful, it brought tears to our eyes... "

It's Friday night and there are five more shows to do with Indrek and Dennis. On Sunday, Steve's flying in from London and we hit the road.

A s l o n g a s t h e y fi x t h a t c o f f e e m a c h i n e . . .

Andres Roots Walden Estonia Artist Andresroots.com Music reflects your life, Artist & Owner Reviews

so does your guitar SupraNatura G3000 58 SupraNatura G2070 60 SupraNatura G3030CEQ 62 CONTENTS SupraNatura G1070CEQ 64 SupraNatura N2030 66 Worldwide Magazine Reviews Natura G740CE 68 Natura G730 70 Jonathan Lee interview by Violão Pro Magazine (Brazil) 10 Natura G630CE 72 Industry Profile: Jonathan Lee interview by Australian Magazine Natura G570 Family 74 (Australia) 16 Natura D550 76 Jonathan Lee: Walden’s Main Man by Mixdown Magazine (Australia) 18 Natura T550 Travel Guitar 78 Madera CD4041-CERT Review by Vintage Guitar Magazine (USA) 22 Natura O550 Ochestra Model 80 Madera CG4041-CERT Review by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) 24 Natura D552 82 Madera CD4040-CERT Review by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) 26 Madera CD4040-CERT Review by Guitar Buyer Magazine (UK) 28 SupraNatura D2040 by Australian Musician (Australia) 30 Natura G740CE Review by Guitar Player (Brazil) 32 Natura G730 named Best Fingerpicker by Guitar & Bass (UK) 34 Natura D710 Review by Guitar World (USA) 36 Natura G630CE Review by Australian Guitar (Australia) 38 Natura G570TB Review by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) 40 Natura O550 Review by Australian Guitar (Australia) 42 Natura T550 Review by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) 44 Concorda CG2000CEQ Review by Australian Magazine (Australia) 46 Concorda CG600CE Review by Acoustic Magazine (UK) 48 Natura N730 Classical Nylon Review by Acoustic Magazine (UK) 50 My Music. My World. My Choice Elementary School Charity Event

"Getting kids into real music! So much fun! Forgot how much energy kids have!"

Joe Brooks Singer Songwritter in UK & USA Joebrooks.com

Photo: Shane Fabila The following pages contain Walden guitar reviews from 17 of the world’s most prestigious music magazines, including the highly respected Acoustic Guitar Magazine, published in USA. “What does the world truly think about Walden Guitars?” One can now easily Worldwide Magazine Reviews find out by reading these unsolicited perspectives by guitar and music industry experts.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to read magazine reviews.

waldenguitars.com My Music. My World. My Choice. 6 7 waldenguitars.com My Music. My World. My Choice. 8 9 WALDEN GUITARS: An American Dream Manufactured in China By Daniel Neves and Miguel De Laet for Violão Pro (Brazil) Sep 2009

Are all Chinese guitars created equal? Be careful with the answer. Many have preconceived notions about products originating from Asian countries without checking into it further. Violão PRO talked with Jonathan Lee, one of the ones responsible for the development of Walden guitars, on the development of Asian manufacturing, the reasons for manufacturing in China, and on environmental and social responsibility.

THE FACTORY Tell us a little about yourself and how Walden Guitars was born. I am currently the Division Manager of the Fretted Instrument Division at KHS Musical Instruments. KHS, a musical instrument manufacturer for over 75 years, is the sole staff members speak Chinese, overcoming owner of the Walden Guitars brand and the language and cultural barriers to operating produces Walden guitars in Lilan, China in China are furthermore minimized. It also (located nearby Beijing). All Walden guitars facilitates the international distribution of all are made at the Walden shop. Previous to other KHS brands: Mapex Drums, Jupiter becoming the Division Manager, I was the Band Instruments, Hercules Stands and Research and Development Manager as well Majestic Percussion. The KHS factories are as the Marketing Manager for Walden. Walden all nearby and this allows for products to be THE MARKET Guitars originated as a collaboration between combined into the same shipment, better How to associate quality and price? Although benefits are realized in terms of labor CFox Guitars, a company I helped found, and servicing the needs of our customers. Today, With a background in handmade guitars, and overhead expenses, the material cost-to- KHS. Original designs and specifications were we manufacture somewhere around 50 finding the balance point between quality and quality ratio becomes a critical consideration created in consultation with CFox Guitars. thousand instruments per year. price has been one of the greatest challenges when creating instruments in the $300 to for me. When building guitars that sell for $1,500 range. A good example to illustrate Why manufacture in China? around 3,000 US dollars and above, I could this: When building hand made guitars, the There are many reasons why building afford to work with the highest grade materials cost of a Sitka spruce soundboard and back- guitars in China was a natural choice for that offered ideal tonal, visual and stability side set of Indian Rosewood, before any Walden. With lower average labor rates than Scan this QR with your characteristics. Woods that are perfectly woodworking has begun, is already well above elsewhere, it allows for the creation of a high smartphone to read this quarter-sawn, each piece hand selected. our distributor’s wholesale price for some article in the original quality instrument with far greater affordability. Providing instruments at Walden’s competitive completed Walden models! Portugese. Chinese history has a rich and deep cultural prices presents numerous conflicts from a and artistic tradition which also aids their luthier’s point of view. ability to appreciate some of the finer points of guitar making. KHS Musical Instruments, is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Since all

My Music. My World. My Choice. 10 waldenguitars.com 11 In fact, the price of some tuning machines the elements of the guitar building process originating from Africa or South & Central we used at CFox were greater than the cost that are critical to producing quality stable, America. Fingerboards and bridges are Indian of the completed Walden. How do you create excellent sounding guitars. Knowing what we Rosewood and Ebony imported from India and a guitar that even comes close to a fine absolutely can not compromise and knowing S.E. Asia. handmade guitar when you can’t come close what we must to create instruments at this to affording the materials required to make an price level. In our four broad departments: THE CRAFT instrument of this kind? We and other Asian Parts Fabrication, Body-Neck Assembly, Here in Brazil we find some luthiers manufacturers simply can not afford to use Finish, and Setup, each process has its own looking for alternatives in other species these materials and have to work with lower jig, machine fixture or mold that ensures the to substitute traditional woods in the grade, lower cost materials. The challenge consistency of result. Most work is done by manufacture of instruments. Do you then becomes ensuring that the materials hand with recognizable standard woodworking believe that can also occur in the industry? used can satisfy the sonic, visual and machines such as table saws, jointers, A difficulty arises though when the balance stability requirements to create valid musical routers, band saws, etc. Some automated of stability and sonority must be considered. instruments. “What can be sacrificed? machines are used when either a better result The woods traditionally used, were chosen What can be compromised? What can not? can ensue, such as a fingerboard fret-slotting for these reasons. Choosing replacement Where is the line between acceptable and machine, or when an operation is too laborious materials on the basis that they happen to unacceptable?” These become the difficult for an employee. be sustainably grown simply does not work. questions to answer in our quest to create A good example comes from experiments legitimate musical instruments and not just we have conducted using Bamboo. It’s so “guitar shaped objects.” common these days for eco-friendly flooring, it’s hard, and grows like a weed. However, in our tests, it had horrible tonality. Tap a board created from bamboo and it sounds dead, like tapping a cardboard box. That said, we are actively on the lookout for suitable replacement materials that are outside of the traditional woods and can be sustainably materials or poor method. From a product acquired. standpoint, outside of procedural differences, all Walden guitars incorporate a bolt-on neck joint and 2-way adjustable truss rods which Tell us specially about the Walden classical are both less common in Asian manufacturing. guitar series inspired in great guitars built How is this process different from what is Fret ends are hand shaped and polished by Antonio Torres and Hermann Hauser. done in other Asian companies? above standards even seen at Martin. The How did the idea to try to reproduce the If one looks into the history of Asian guitar Walden Natura line may be the only line of Torres-Hauser soundboard bracing occur? THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS making, you will find that most current nitrocellulose lacquer finished instruments In 2004, at the Guild of American Luthiers Talk about the manufacturing process of factories can trace their history back to in China, NC lacquer being known for its Walden. Japanese methods of the 1960’s where excellent sonic properties compared with the All quality instrument making operations they were essentially producing low cost more common Polyurethane finished used in incorporate similar processes to achieve alternatives to USA and European made Asia. similar objectives, be they the solo, one instruments. As labor costs rose in Japan, person lutherie workshop or large scale this system of guitar-building moved to Korea What are the most commonly used woods factories. and Taiwan, and later Mainland China, and in manufacturing Walden guitars? now Indonesia. Many Asian operations still Walden currently only uses what are Walden’s manufacturing process draws make “guitar shaped objects.” This is due to considered “traditional” guitar tone-woods. specifically from my experience as a luthier at a lack of understanding of the fundamentals Varieties of spruce (Sitka & Engelmann) and CFox Guitars, and from techniques used at of guitar design or manufacturing, or due to western red cedar. Back and side woods USA large production shops such as Martin the business model of producing the cheapest are either Indian Rosewood or Mahogany and Taylor. Our guiding principal is to respect instruments dictating their choice of poor

My Music. My World. My Choice. 12 waldenguitars.com 13 I considered adjustments that we might make to the Walden classical guitar, I also had an opportunity to review drawings for two guitars built for Andres Segovia, the 1912 Manuel Ramirez and the Hermann Hauser 1937. Much like an aspiring painter practices the techniques of the masters, I decided that this was the place to begin the development and improvement of the Walden classical guitar.

It is a Fact: every classical guitar built around the world is based on the Torres classical guitar, but with some soundboard bracing modifications. Are there some modifications in brace dimensions and angles? Is this really the most important topic to craft the sound and tone of the instrument? The soundboard is the most important element contributing to the guitar’s sound. The various vibrations of the side and back influence the tonal quality of the guitar’s voice, particularly the upper partials (the higher frequencies / harmonics), but too “flexible” and they can suck energy from the top and negatively affect sound and tone. Convention in Washington State, I attended a seminar hosted by luthier Jeffrey Elliot. The current Walden classical guitar The topic: “Restoring Tarrega's 1888 Torres." soundboard bracing design stays quite This guitar had been severely damaged and faithful to the Torres / Hauser designs. Minor masterfully restored by Jeff. He also presented modifications include the use of a bridge plans and measurements for this piece of plate which was not used by Torres on the guitar history and we had the privilege of 1888 but used on the ’37 Hauser. In terms of hearing that particular guitar played in concert crafting the tone and sound of an instrument, that evening. In truth this began my inspiration the bracing dimensions and angles are only and respect for the modern classical guitar. As one piece in the puzzle. The 1888 Torres had soundboard thicknesses as low as 1.2 mm at the edge and 1.5 - 2.0 mm under the bridge – this is amazing when you consider that a typical soundboard is commonly about 2.5 – 2.8 mm. The way to achieve this is to find exceptional materials, high stiffness-to-weight characteristics allowing a thin the top without losing the stiffness to resist the tension of the strings. With this lower weight, the strings don’t need to work as hard to pump the top: energy is represented as sound.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 14 waldenguitars.com 15 big costs associated with purchasing authentic woods, drying and curing them, building in Industry Profile: JONATHAN LEE traditional ways, investing in humidity control and other environmental factors that result in June 2011 By Australian Guitar (Australia) stable instruments.

EXCLUSIVE TAB: Tommy EmmanuEl "lEwis and Clark" WIN Your guitars are manufactured on a large Chief Designer - Walden Guitars AN ALBION! TCT35C scale for the global market. How does this TWIN CHANNEL President - Walden Guitars Factory COMBO

WORTH differ from custom shop luthier operators? $1099 We use many of the same machines a small Greatest career achievement to date? Luthier may use such as table saws, band Creating our Madera line of eco-friendly, saws, jointers, etc. We also have other certified 100 percent FSC-Pure instruments. specialized machines such as a fingerboard After over 10 years of pressuring suppliers for fret slotting machine, where a solo builder may FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified do the same operation using a fixture on his/ woods we’re finally seeing FSC certified her table saw. forests and mills. Remember that the spruce PLUS! soundboards used on all guitars – from the Favorite guitarist? cheapest plywood instrument to the hand There are simply too many. From Chet Atkins made masterpieces – all come from old growth

$9.95 (INC. GST) NZ $11.90 to Dimebag, Hendrix to Jorma, Vernon to VOLUME 85 85

forests. Mahogany and Brazilian Rosewood NO CD? ask your rETailEr 9771329768001 Tarrega. Gilmour, Garcia… the list goes on is listed on CITES (Convention for the and on. International Trade in Endangered Species). is made – it’s all about the knowledge and Advice for those who want to get into the What was your first job in music? methodology behind the operation, how music products industry? The band getting paid for a gig; just about it was made, who made it. Yes, labor is Do it for love. Not money. covered beer and gas expenses. more affordable – this means we can offer affordability in a great sounding instrument. What’s the most recent guitar-related What makes your products stand out from product that’s excited you? sides). We released these in 2011 and they the rest? How does your factory differ from other Acoustic MIDI. I love the idea of walking are simply awesome instruments. Walden guitars are among the most well-known brands producing in China? around Burningman playing acoustic guitar, responsible and ethically made instruments Walden owns its own factory. Most other with some backpack mounted speaker system Which musical figure, alive or dead, would made in Asia. We work five days a week, brands job out their manufacturing to OEM outputting drum and bass and samples. Oh you most like to meet? eight hour days, pay higher salaries, offer shops – the Nike sneaker model. Owning yeah, and the songwriting and composing Antonio de Torres, the father of modern health and retirement insurance, and have our own factory allows us to make the guitar opportunities are just mind boggling. classical guitar building. never missed payroll. We have innovative we want; to control the design, methodology, design elements such as graphite and glass quality, etc. We are the only acoustic guitar Most recent musical instrument or If you could only listen to five albums for fiber reinforced bolt-on necks. For the price factory in Asia with an FSC Chain-of-Custody accessory purchase? the rest of your life, what would they be? you would be hard pressed to find a better certification. We are the only Asian musical A set of D’Addario guitar strings tension How about just giving me an internet instrument. instrument manufacturer who is a member of balanced for DADGAD tuning. connection, a laptop and a set of speakers TFT, The Forest Trust, which assists us with and I’ll just surf internet radio. That would be Many people still believe guitars made in tracing our wood supply chain for legality. What are some of the standout products fine. China are inferior products, what do you your company is involved with? say to them? What are the main challenges faced with Any of our 4000 series Madera line Scan this QR with your My first reaction is to tell them to look at their running a successful guitar factory? instruments – in particular I favor the Grand smartphone to read this iPhone/other mobile device and check out The biggest challenge is building a good Auditorium CG4041-Cert and the Dreadnought article on the official where it’s made; look at the clothes you’re Walden website. sounding, stable, and legitimate instrument at CD4041-Cert that are made entirely of Central wearing. Inferior is not about where something the prices demanded by consumers. There are American mahogany (solid top, back and

My Music. My World. My Choice. 16 waldenguitars.com 17 Jonathan Lee: Walden’s Main Man By Mixdown (Australia) April 2011

What’s your personal history as a guitar builder and with Walden?

I began my journey like many before me – as a failed rock star. Having put those aspirations aside, I was lucky to have the opportunity to pursue a longtime dream of learning the art of guitar building at Charles Fox’s American School of Lutherie in Northern California. Charles and I quickly developed a close friendship and realised we shared many values and visions. In 1996 we formed CFox Guitars, Inc. and built hundreds of handmade instruments that are well respected to this day. What I learned during those years became the foundation for my philosophy of guitar design and construction. After we closed the CFox operation in 2001, I began working directly cheapest instruments and we never will. We with Walden guitars as their Research and focus our efforts on building legitimate musical Development Manager, and I’m currently the instruments that will stand the test of time. We Chief Designer for Walden and President of see our important points of difference in three the Walden factory. I spent a great deal of time general categories: the typical Chinese factory. If you are not range guitars (500-700 Series). This neck at the Walden shop in northern China during purchasing guitars from that kind of operation, design results in a more stable neck that those earlier years, defining the materials we Ethics: Walden becomes one of the few available resists twisting and warping. A result of being could use, and rebuilt and redesigned many We believe that operating in a moral, socially choices. stiffer is that the bass resonant frequency of jigs, fixtures and moulds. I then retrained staff responsible way is an important part of our the neck increases and problems with wolf- on many of the procedures, such as fret work, process. We believe that a guitarist cares Innovation: tones are reduced. No other production finish sanding, etc. not only how nice the instrument is, but also who built it. Walden is one of the only brands By owning our own factory, we control the shop builds with this kind of additional neck materials, designs and processes that we use reinforcement. Walden in partnership with With a market that is constantly being that owns its own Mainland China factory, to build our instruments. We do not have to Graphtech (maker of Tusq) worked together to refined and having to offer higher quality while many of our competitors job out their fit our guitars into someone else’s mould and develop the Fossalite nut and saddle material, for lower prices, how do you compete? manufacturing (the Nike sneaker model). We operate at high ethical standards. Staff work change the headstock for individuality. We are which is optimised for mid-priced instruments. currently the only Asian manufacturer using Beginning 2011, all Walden 300 series through Guitars are as good as they have ever been. five days a week, eight hours a day. If we work a bolt-on neck to body joint, which is a more 700 series are installed with Fossalite. This is a good thing. Guitars are as affordable overtime, we work until 9pm only. Retirement stable, unintended stress- free joint compared as they have ever been. This too is a good and health insurance is mandatory. Wages to what I like to call the “Asian dovetail”, which Tradition: thing, since it allows more people access are above local standards. Minimum age is a is forced together and leads to all kinds of Building a legitimate instrument that both to guitars as musical instruments, not just high school graduate. Workstations are well lit potential problems. We incorporate a narrow- stands the test of time and sounds great relies the “guitar-shaped objects” of the past that and conditions are in line with any first-world profile graphite reinforced neck on our high on respecting key fundamentals of guitar hurt so much to play that they ended up in a wood shop. Compare that with the “sweatshop” end instruments (1000 Series and above) building. Our shop pays strict attention to closet somewhere. Walden does not make the many folks think of when they picture and a glass-fibre reinforced neck on our mid- humidity control, with numerous climate control

My Music. My World. My Choice. 18 waldenguitars.com 19 non-profit organisation. Their focus is working We seek to provide the Walden owner with with companies and communities to develop many options for his/her budget. For example, responsible products through reducing we do not offer only one dreadnought body forest destruction and empowering local shape in our solid-top 500 series. The forest dependent communities. They have Orchestra Model (O), Grand Auditorium (G), staff assisting local communities to achieve Travel (T), etc. all provide different voices Verified Legal Origin status and eventually and playing experiences tailored to the FSC Certification. At the moment, Walden is player’s needs and desires. Our 500 series working with TFT to map our wood supply is where our offerings are broadest and as chain, beginning with our first-line suppliers we move upwards, selection and number through mill to forest to ensure everything of models is more limited. Our 600 series is legal. We are committed to building with represents an upgrade in materials and trim; legal materials, and anticipate through our 700 series adds a solid wood back. Our 1000 partnership with TFT we can create full series and above apply hand made guitar transparency throughout our wood supply construction techniques to our line including chain. our graphite reinforced neck, hand cut bone nuts and saddles, wood binding and a general Your lines cover a fair spectrum of specs increase in overall wood quality. In this line, and prices – how are models/ designs we also offer the 1-3/4” nut width preferred by decided on? finger-stylists on our Grand Auditorium and Orchestra Models.

rooms set to 45 per cent relative humidity. This supply chain from forest through completed allows us to keep our materials at the correct product must have a FSC Chain-Of-Custody Scan this QR with your moisture content critical towards helping an (COC) Certification. As a COC holder, smartphone to read this instrument survive the elements. We have Walden must track all the FSC-Pure woods article on the official based our bracing designs and measurements we purchase throughout our building process Walden website. on an authentic 1942 Dreadnought and have and only purchase from FSC COC mills. That referenced the specific body shapes from that mill must also track their wood processing pre-war era. The important end result is a and purchase from FSC-certified forests. guitar that is not overbuilt like so many of our FSC certified forests must develop and Asian competitors. follow a long-term forest management plan We believe that operating in a moral, socially responsible way is an to ensure the resources are well-managed. important part of our process. We believe that a guitarist cares not Can you explain the concept behind the For example, the FSC-Pure Central American only how nice the instrument is, but also who built it. Madera line (Certified FSC Pure wood)? mahogany comes from a forest with a 70-year Walden’s Madera line of FSC-Pure cut plan and GPS coordinates for each tree. instruments are among only a few guitars Every FSC COC holder and forest must be built entirely out of FSC certified woods today. audited by a third party every year to ensure FSC, or “Forest Stewardship Council”, is a compliance. non-governmental, not-for-profit organistion that sets the standard for responsibly forested And TFT (The Forest Trust)? products and materials. Every member in the TFT, or “The Forest Trust”, is another global

My Music. My World. My Choice. 20 waldenguitars.com 21 own with a Gibson Mastertone banjo.

Madera CD4041-CERT Review A dreadnought without all the resonant mud? Indeed, the CD4041 plays nice in a July 2011 By Vintage Guitar Magazine (USA) mix of acoustic instruments and in recording situations – covering bluegrass, blues, and even gypsy jazz with its combination of its Brown Sugar: deep range and cutting voice. The Walden Guitars CD4041 Dreadnought The Madera experience is enhanced by its Are you a card-carrying Lover Of Our Planet intonation and setup, which offered marginal Earth? Or are you maybe just looking for a relief in the neck with bluegrass-appropriate good-sounding, easy-playing guitar that won’t string height. Walden is justifiably proud of break the bank? Walden Guitars’ new Madera its environmental dedication in the Madera line can satisfy the needs of players who are/ Line. The company points out that pure FSC need both. materials are difficult to come by, certainly at guitarbuilding quality. If more players asked, Made of woods certified by the Forest perhaps other builders will commit with similar Stewardship Council, the company’s focus. But until they do, the Walden Madera CD4041 is a dreadnought-sized guitar with CD4041 can serve as the convincer. a mahogany body and neck sourced from Central America. The neck has carbon- The medium frets are neatly dressed and graphite rails, augmented by a two-way polished, playing cleanly up and down the adjustable truss rod in an assembly the fretboard. Interior inspection shows very company says is stiff enough to pass string clean workmanship with braces and even the energy to the soundboard instead of losing it lining made of lightweight spruce. A wood to neck vibration. The stack-laminated neck reinforcement, as opposed to Martin-style heel is bolted to the body. glue-impregnated fabric, covers the joint of the forward shifted, pre-war style X-brace. The fingerboard is made of katalox, a wood similar to certain species of ebony, scale length is 25.6", and width at the bone nut While spruce may be a louder tonewood, and is 1 11/16". The katalox bridge is fitted with cedar may be sweeter, mahogany has a clarity dot-inlaid plastic bridge pins. The intonated that makes it especially popular for blues Scan the QR code bone saddle and nut show a high level of pickers. On a dreadnought – a design with lots with your smartphone accuracy in shaping and slotting. Smooth of body resonance – that can be a welcome to find out more turning tuners with black keys are mounted about the CD4041. thing. on the snakehead-style headstock, topped with a simple arching curve. An attractive Tuned to pitch and strummed with a stiff ...the CD4041 put forth the expected pearl representation of a Chinese character big-dreadnought bass sound, but with pick, the CD4041 put forth the expected big- for “wood” joins the Walden logo on the an-across-the-spectrum definition and dreadnought bass sound, but with an-across- headstock. The only other ostentation on note articulation. the-spectrum definition and note articulation. this tasteful design is the abalone rosette. A few cross picking runs and some fiddle tune Tortoise body binding with white and black fragments demonstrated the CD4041’s single- purfling complements the brown tint over the note capabilities. Playing Flatt-inspired rhythm quartersawn mahogany tonewood. Both body stylings, this square-shouldered acoustic and neck are finished with a glass-smooth raised a bluegrass clatter that would hold its topcoat of polyurethane over a polyester base.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 22 waldenguitars.com 23 Comfortable and Smooth Wide Neck my singing at normal performance levels. This The grand auditorium size of the CG4041 is a fine folkie’s instrument, suited equally to Walden Madera CG4041-CERT nestles comfortably on the lap, and the smooth picked chordal acompaniment and single-note feel of the frets and fingerboard tended to lure soloing. Tuning down to dropped D seemed to Nov 2011 By Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) me into experimenting higher up the neck than improve the overall resonance of the midrange I often do, which I found quite appealing. The (notably in the key of A), though it didn’t width of the neck, at 13⁄4 inches, is slightly noticeably change the balance of the low end. Founded in 1996, Walden Guitars is known wider than I usually play, but it quickly began To see if some styles might sound better than for designing and building high quality to feel solid and comfortable (I’ll admit I pay others on the Madera, I let the guitar take instruments at affordable prices. Walden’s a price for using my thumb to fret the bass me every which way stylistically. I played chief designer, Jonathan Lee, was a former notes of barre chords). The depth of the a little Irish traditional, some favorite licks partner at the now-defunct CFox Guitars, and gently rounded neck filled my palm nicely copped from John Renbourn, a bit o Malagasy several of that highend shop’s ideas have and felt comfortable up to the seventh fret fingerpicking, Django Reinhardt style jazz, found their way into Walden designs. Lee’s and beyond. If you favor a skinnier neck, you a Tim O’Brien song, Travis picking, Martin latest achievement is the Madera line, which might try Walden’s Madera CD4041-CERT Carthy back-snap faux frailing, Grateful Dead was introduced in 2010 and is built solely with dreadnought, which is 1⁄16 inch narrower at songs, country, original indulgences, and on responsibly forested, nonendangered woods. the nut. into the depths of my musical walk-in closet. To keep things affordable, Walden builds In the end, everything sounded clean and guitars in China. To keep the quality top- Bright, Clear, and Warm Tones fresh and the fun of playing the Madera was notch, Walden builds exclusively in the factory The CG4041 sang out with exceptionally sustained as the instrument grew more familiar it owns. And to keep things responsible, bright overtones and a clear attack—a in my hands. Walden is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) vibrantly alive sound that made me want to Chain-of-Custody holder, tracking materials linger on notes just to listen to them ring and Responsible and Affordable Clarity from forest to guitarist and guaranteeing decay. This clarity could be heard from the I would happily hand a Walden Madera that only sustainable and legal woods are Clean and Tasteful Mahogany Body open strings right up the fingerboard, pretty CG4041 to a beginning guitarist or recommend used on the Madera line. The all-mahogany Eco-friendly qualities aside, the Madera evenly across the top five strings. To provide it to a seasoned professional. For the CG4041-CERT grand auditorium we received CG4041 is a cleanly built guitar, stained a a low bed for all this clarity, the low E would beginner, it provides instant gratification and for review is one of two new additions to deep and even red and adorned with tasteful, have had to really bloom, but it didn’t. Rather, clarity of tone for a reasonable price. For the eight-model Madera line. (We reviewed unfussy binding and pickguard. There’s it helped sustain the overall clarity of the rest the professional, the possibilities of sustain the Madera CD4040-CERT, a spruce-and no unnecessary flash, though details from of the instrument. My enjoyment of the clarity and overtone power will be intriguing and mahogany dreadnought, in September 2010.) the scalloping of the bridge to the cut of and sustain of the mid to high range on this worthwhile, along with the added bonus of It’s no secret that many traditional woods used the peghead to the black-buttoned tuning guitar is due in part to the subtle warmth knowing that you’re supporting the effort in instrument making are being logged illegally machines create a unified look befitting underlying the highs, a result no doubt of the to create more ecologically friendly and and that some species are facing extinction. a much more expensive instrument. The all Central American mahogany body. The sustainable forests while you play your guitar. Fortunately, a few makers such as Walden Central American mahogany of the top, attack is never aggressive or harsh. And I have found business partners in Central and back, and sides is subtly beautiful, with the imagine that, given the quality of wood used South America and Asia who share a common kind of straight, tight, even grain I’d expect in its construction, it will only improve with desire to keep fine instrument-worthy wood to find on a fine violin. Like the other models age. When I played it with a flatpick and really viable and available into the future. Working in Walden’s Madera and SupraNatura lines, dug in for volume, the Madera responded with FSC, these companies use responsibly the soundboard is supported by prewar- with clean and buzz-free notes, though sheer grown and logged woods, avoiding style scalloped X-bracing, and the neck and muscle didn’t add any gravitas to the lower endangered woods such as ebony and finding body are coated with a high-gloss polyester/ end. Of course, this lack of boomy bass is one alternatives such as katalox (also known polyurethane finish. The workmanship inside of the virtues the grand auditorium size can as Mexican royal ebony) and establishing and out is without obvious flaw, which speaks claim over the dreadnought. When playing a chain of custody from forest to finishing volumes for the high level of technical in an ensemble with a bass, it could be just workshop that ensures that their instruments the ticket for tonal balance without a muddy The mahogany of the top, back, and expertise present in Walden’s Chinese sides has the kind of straight, even are built from certified FSC pure sustainable workshop. All in all, the Madera is a very low end. Fingerpicking was an immediate joy, grain I’d expect to find on a fine violin. tonewoods. inviting instrument. whether playing delicately or accompanying

My Music. My World. My Choice. 24 waldenguitars.com 25 11⁄16 inches to be reassuringly familiar. While the neck is comfortable, the action on our Madera CD4040-CERT Review review instrument was a bit high and the guitar felt a little stiff. The action, of course, can be Sept 2010 By Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) adjusted to taste by a competent luthier and the guitar should loosen up as it accumulates playing time. Elegant mid-price dreadnought with certified FSC-pure tonewoods. The CD4040-CERT projects a clear and vibrant sound with plenty of sustain, in part Since 1996, Walden Guitars has been making due to its solid, quartersawn Sitka top. When high-quality classical and steel-string guitars I played some fingerstyle jazz with long in China for the North American market, and sustained chords, the effect was piano-like, the company recently introduced the Madera with an attractive natural reverb. Conversely, line of guitars—instruments made entirely the guitar sounded appropriately punchy from certified FSC-pure tonewoods such as when strumming open-position chords Carter Sitka spruce and South American mahogany. Family–style. Through a process known as “chain-of- custody,” the Forest Stewardship Council As I tried various other approaches I ensures that each guitar in the Madera line discovered that the CD4040-CERT is a is fully compliant, overseeing the woods from wonderfully versatile instrument. It responded the time they’re harvested until they’re used in equally well to anything I could think of. The construction. Fittingly, Madera is Spanish for has roughly the same density as ebony, the open strings really sparkled on a country- “wood,” and the headstock of each guitar is fretboard and bridge have a nice dark color blues improvisation in open E, while higher emblazoned in pearl with a Chinese character and even grain. up the neck, some closed-position R&B-style that symbolizes wood. We auditioned the chord work sounded clear and defined, and Walden Madera CD4040-CERT, which The craftsmanship on our review model was a pseudo-bluegrass flatpicked solo sounded features all solid woods in a traditional good. The nut was cleanly cut and the fretwork clear and articulate in all registers. dreadnought design—currently only one of meticulous, but close inspection revealed two dreadnoughts with 100 percent pure, a few file marks at random spots on the GREEN GUITARIST’S DREAM responsibly forested wood on the market, fingerboard. The binding was uniformly flush With its FSC-pure-certified tonewoods, the the other being the American-made Martin D with the body, but there was a bit of bleed into CD4040-CERT is perfect for the thoughtfully Mahogany 09, which lists for more than twice the finish on the upper bout of the treble side. green guitarist. It’s also a bargain as an all- the price of the CD4040. Inside, the bracing showed no excess glue solid-wood guitar with good looks and a robust but was rough in spots and could have used sound, suitable for a variety of styles. And with SUSTAINABLE ELEGANCE a bit more sanding. The high-gloss finish— its versatile voice, the CD4040-CERT would The Madera CD4040-CERT has a nicely a polyester base with a polyurethane top also make a great go-to acoustic. streamlined appearance. The fretboard is coat—was well applied and carefully buffed. The CD4040-CERT projects a clear and devoid of inlays, and the abalone soundhole Purists might be put off by that type of finish, vibrant sound with plenty of sustain, in rosette, tortoise body-and-neck binding, and but applying a traditional nitrocellulose finish part due to its solid, quartersawn Sitka pearl headstock inlays are at once elegant is known to have deleterious effects on the top. and restrained. Our review model had an environment, so it would have been out of attractively grained solid Sitka spruce top place on this green guitar. Scan the QR code with a hint of bearclaw figuring and some with your smartphone winter growth lines. The solid South American STYLISTIC VERSATILITY AND SOUND to watch a CD4040-CERT video review. mahogany back, sides, and neck were The CD4040-CERT’s contemporary C-shaped similarly attractive and devoid of blemishes. neck is neither too ample nor too skimpy. Made of South American katalox, which Electric guitarists will find the nut width of 1

My Music. My World. My Choice. 26 waldenguitars.com 27 guitar, and that’s probably deliberate. The tactic warmth and richness really fill it out. On a guitar used by most companies selling ethical and fair at this price, we’ve come to expect the intonation trade goods in recent years has been to move to be perfect, string-to-string balance to be even: Madera CD4040-CERT Review away from the perceived alternative or ‘hippy’ in fact, not to have to think about such issues at markets, and to look as mainstream as possible. all, and the Walden really steps up to the plate. August 2010 By Guitar Buyer Magazine (UK) If Walden wants the world to buy this guitar, then You could describe the tone as middle-of-the- it needs to look pretty much like other spruce and road, but really it’s just an excellent general- Play acoustic guitar and save the planet at the mahogany dreadnoughts, and in that respect it’s purpose guitar. It doesn’t have such a strong same time? What could be better? Sam Wise a success. Just because things are kept neat tonal character that it’s perfect for one style, investigates going green. and simple, that’s not to say it isn’t a handsome yet unsuitable for another. Sure, you can find a creature; in particular, the unadorned fingerboard picker’s guitar with a sweeter voice, or a cedar- Walden Guitars may not be immediately familiar and tapered headstock really work for us. But topped instrument with more warmth. Certainly to you, and with the marketplace as crowded it doesn’t scream ‘save the whales’, and that’s a Gibson J-200 would give you a more booming, as we can remember it, perhaps that’s why perhaps a win for Walden. in-your-face sound, but if you want a guitar that the company has taken a bold step in order to can do all of those things well enough, a spruce/ differentiate itself. Responding to both the sharp Sounds mahogany dreadnought is your friend, and the decline in the planet’s resources and the rise in Of course, we know what to expect from a spruce Madera is a good example of the breed. the general awareness of and interest in ‘ethical’ and mahogany dreadnought: there should be product, Walden has launched the Madera series, plenty of sparkle from the top end, but a certain Conclusion built using only Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) amount of complexity and warmth introduced into So, it appears Walden has done what it needed certified sustainable woods. While guitar making the mid-range by the mahogany. The Madera to do and produced a guitar that allows you to do is a relatively small industry and is far from the not only doesn’t disappoint, but perhaps goes your bit for the planet without looking like you knit biggest consumer of endangered woods, it does somewhat beyond our expectations. There’s your own yoghurt. Best of all, that doesn’t come have a relatively high profile and also relies on soundhole ring. not an excessive brightness to the top end, nor at the cost of performance. Though some might old-growth wood to supply the best tone. Walden quite what we might call ‘sparkle’. Instead, it look for a little more individuality in terms of looks is a partner in the Greenpeace Music Wood This subtlety extends to the fingerboard too, has a chiming, ringing quality. There’s plenty of and sounds, we think this guitar’s understated campaign (together with big players like Martin, which is a slab of katalox, a sustainable ebony sustain, which is likely to be enhanced by the appearance and impressive all-round tone will Taylor, Fender, Gibson and Yamaha), which alternative which is pretty much indistinguishable bone nut and saddle, but picking big open chords win it plenty of admirers, whether ecological seeks to demonstrate the consumer demand for to our eyes, and Walden has left it unadorned by and arpeggios with notes fretted up the neck issues are a priority or of no concern. FSC-certified wood via the guitar makers and any dot markers. The C-shaped mahogany neck really brings out the pure, transparent nature of encourage more companies to get on board. is gloss finished and slim. We would perhaps the top end. Moving into the mid-range, there With the Madera range, Walden is putting this have liked just a little more depth, but this is a is the expected harmonic blossoming as the issue front and centre, and the FSC stamp matter of personal preference, of course. The mahogany does its work, and for us, slightly guarantees that all the wood used here comes neck finish doesn’t cause the squeaky, sticky feel more of that gentle warmth to the tone than we from forests which are managed and harvested that some gloss necks have, and the tortoiseshell expected. There’s none of the muddiness which in a sustainable way. fingerboard binding contributes to a very slick can occasionally afflict still-warmer-sounding feel overall. On the topic of the frets, there are 20 cedar-topped guitars, though; as you progress Body & Neck of them, of what might be called medium jumbo into the bass register, there’s plenty of tautness So what about the woods used on this guitar, size, with a few exhibiting some slightly sharp and punch. Dig in and strum a little more, and the the Madera CD4040-CERT dreadnought? The ends, which is disappointing at this price. The chord sings out, not losing clarity as you up the Sitka spruce soundboard is fairly broad-grained – slim, tapering headstock is faced in what appears volume. Walden has done a fine job in offering more so than we’d normally look for in a guitar at to be more katalox, and carries unbranded warmth and harmonic richness without losing this price point, though not disasterously so. The closed-back tuners with black buttons. These any of the note separation that makes spruce back and sides are South American mahogany, are made of a rubbery feeling plastic, and while dreadnoughts such a favourite of strummers the Walden has done a fine job in offering attractive enough in terms of grain figure but they look nice enough, we might have preferred world over. We find that the combination of plenty warmth and harmonic richness without nothing out of the ordinary. Walden has gone light more katalox. The bridge is again of katalox, with of body and depth to the tone, and lots of punch, losing any of the note separation that on the decoration for this guitar: there’s some a compensated bone saddle, and there’s a bone means that the Madera lends itself in particular makes spruce dreadnoughts such a understated tortoiseshell binding, which chimes nut as well – it’s nice to see these details done to funky blues fingerstyle. Rifs on the bass favourite of strummers the world over. in with the pickguard, and a fairly simple abalone right. The Madera is a pretty conservative-looking strings ring out, and when you hit a big chord, the My Music. My World. My Choice. 28 waldenguitars.com 29 and even along the entire neck and a two Supranatura D2040 way adjustable truss-rod is also routed into the neck cavity (becoming the new “norm” on Sep 2008 By Australian Musician (Australia) acoustics) ensuring additional stability and the ability to straighten the neck.

Gold Tortoise shell machine heads adorn a Not a lot is known about Walden guitars other sleek headstock, and the travel on the strings than they’re designed in the United States is flawless from bridge to tuner without any and built in the small town of Lilan, China. annoying “chinks” when tuning. A bone nut and The name Walden is also the title of the saddle are superb additions adding to some autobiography of Henry David Thoreau, which already great sustain and the setup would is based around solitude and life in the woods. have been perfect for me if the action wasn’t This may have absolutely nothing to do with so high. To top it off, the satin nitrocellulose where the company gets its name from, but it’s finish on this instrument is superb, with no risk a fitting title for an instrument that would look of oily finger-prints or sweat stains being left right at home in an Alaskan log cabin. behind like on gloss surfaces.

Currently the market is flooded with a massive Okay, a lot has been said about how great range of mid priced acoustic guitars, so in this guitar looks and feels, now let’s get to the order for manufacturers to stand out they important stuff. What’s the tone like? First off, need to make guitars that appeal to a certain the tone is very balanced, smooth and not too calibre of muso. The Walden D2040 is such an ‘boomy’ in the bum (bottom end). I’d describe instrument, with a cosmetic appeal that sets the sound as sweet with no ugly frequencies more bass. Older Martin guitars feature it up more as a luxury item than a tool to craft jumping out even with an angry strum. Finger scalloped braces, resulting in a vintage tone music with. It looked superb straight out of the style picking resulted in rich, smoky overtones that appealed to bluegrass players. box and on closest inspection the only flaw I that would sit great in a jazz track. noticed was the dot-inlay was slightly crooked African mahogany is becoming the at the 12th fret. A sturdy brown leather case This guitar's only real setback is a lack of manufacturing norm as Honduras mahogany escorts this guitar and it seems reasonable volume, which can be an issue if you decide to (South American) declines to the point of that any decent acoustic should come with use it live or are fighting to be heard when its extinction. Luckily enough deforestation laws its own case these days (manufacturers take your solo. The thin neck makes barring chords are now protecting this prized tone-wood for note). a tad easier but, the action is too high for Al future generations, and its African counterpart DiMeola style shredding if that’s your calling. sounds equally pleasing. Mahogany is highly The D2040 is part of Walden's Supra-Natura However, for an RRP of $795 you get a quality regarded for its warm, rich tonal properties series, sporting all wooden manufacturing acoustic guitar with a sturdy case that plays and thick midrange and its influence on this (including end pins) as well as thin neck to wonderfully, looks fantastic, sounds great, axe is also apparent. An ebony bridge is used assist with speed and barring of chords. The with the only issue being volume. If you need to hold a set of D’addario EXP strings with tone woods employed are a Sitka spruce a great acoustic to play in your apartment or Scan the QR code beautifully crafted rosewood endpins providing top, African mahogany body and neck, and record with, then I’d recommend the Walden with your smartphone the anchor, making this guitar a certifiable rosewood fingerboard. D2040 to you. to find out more timber orgy. about the D2040. A scalloped “X” bracing lies beneath the silky spruce top for additional strength The neck is also a sturdy slab of mahogany and longevity. The Martin Guitar Company with a rosewood fret board, that’s smooth to employed this process in the 1850s, and a the touch and features the most beautifully scalloped brace differs from a standard brace finished frets I have ever come across on an in that it tends to vibrate more and produce acoustic guitar. The frets were thin, smooth

My Music. My World. My Choice. 30 waldenguitars.com 31 Natura G740CE Review By Guitar Player (Brazil) Feb 2006

These days it's not hard to find high quality, well-finished Chinese instruments at a good price. The Walden G740CE is just such an instrument. The body shape is similar to Taylor's grand auditorium and the guitar is built with quality materials that result in a beautiful sound.

The G740CE has a blemish-free nitrocellulose the instrument is the truss rod which precisely Scan the QR code and securely adjusts the action, even with with your smartphone lacquer finish. Made from tree fiber, to find out more heavy strings. The instrument is 64.77 cm nitrocellulose lacquer has been the material of about the G740CE. choice for guitar finishing since the eighteenth between the top and bridge nut. Locked, gold century. A satin finish is smoother than a high machine heads assure accurate tuning. The gloss finish, allowing for easier and faster headstock features Indian rosewood and a movement along the neck. pearl Walden logo. The Fishman Classic 4 is a four band EQ that yields different sounds. The G740CE's top is made of solid Sitka spruce, a wood that delivers tons of volume SOUNDS and equilibrium. It is the top choice for First, we tested the Walden plugged into guitarists who play with a heavy hand. The a Beringher console and Antera amplified abalone rosette is a nice detail and inside the speakers. In all EQ and volume set ups, the body you'll find thin brace wood that structures G740CE had a great sound. When connecting the sound. The braces increase the bass it with a microphone, in addition to the preamp, sound without losing the harmonics and treble the sound quality increased most noticeably at sounds. high volumes.

The bridge and fingerboard are made of Next we connected it to a Fender Acousta- Indian rosewood — the most desired wood sonic 30. The sound was even better and for acoustic guitars, as well as electric and fuller. Using maximum volume, flat EQ and bass guitars. The beautiful design adds to the no effects, the G740CE performed extremely overall quality of the instrument.The sides and well, without noise and feedback. Using back of the G740CE are made from African DSP effects, the guitar produced full, great mahogany, which produces consistent sound sounds with sufficient dept to convince the and maintains stability. most demanding guitarists. A little chorus and reverb provided beautiful lines that are useful Walden Guitars uses only mahogany on the in pop-rock, Brazilian country and other styles. neck of their instruments. The comfortably The Walden G740CE is a professional and shaped G740CE neck has 20 frets.The adaptable guitar for any musicians work. cutaway affords easy access to the treble The Walden G740CE is a professional and adaptable guitar for any musicians work. frets and the neck body joint is like a dovetail, yielding great sustain. An important detail of

My Music. My World. My Choice. 32 waldenguitars.com 33 Natura G730 named Best Fingerpicker By Guitar & Bass (UK) Feb 2008

If this guitar came with a price tag of £500, we wouldn't have blinked. It has a solid cedar top, a solid rosewood back, scalloped bracing, cast tuners and a satin nitro-cellulose finish. The sides are laminated: some luthiers prefer this because it effectively decouples the top from the back. You even get an abalone rosette and a pearl logo.

The Walden ships with a humidifier, but no case or gigbag - but who's complaining when it sounds like this? It chimes, rings, thumps and kerchunks - everything you could ask of in an acoustic guitar. This is the unmistakable sound of solid wood combined with effortless playability and a sonic character that's equally suited to strumming and picking.

Even the build quality is virtually flawless. Add a proper bone nut and saddle and some classy tuners, and this could slay the big guns - for peanuts.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to find out more about the G730.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 34 waldenguitars.com 35 Natura D710 Review By Guitar World (USA) Aug 2009

Scan the QR code with your smartphone Walden's guitars remind players what acoustic to watch a D710 video instruments are supposed to deliver: living review. tone. At the same time, the Chinese-built Walden D710 proves that properly managed overseas manufacturing can produce a superior instrument at roughly half the price of a similar American-born guitar. The D710 is part of Walden's Natura Series, which Electric guitarists accustomed to moderately emphasizes simple aesthetics and gorgeous thin C-shaped necks are going to love the I was impressed by the first sound I sound through the use of intelligent design D710's silkyfast-mahogany neck. Gracefully heard through the D710 and continued and select woods. There are no frills or fancies thin plastic binding dresses the rosewood to be inspired by every cleanly defined on the D710, but its sound is nothing short of fingerboard, and the fretwork is flawless, nuance and bell-like ring of sustain. spectacular. allowing low action with no issues. Other Few affordable acoustic guitars can tastefully incorporated appointments include create this kind of warmth and note separation. FEATURES tortoise shell keys on gold tuners, an inlaid "Elegant" and "subdued" are apt descriptions mother-of-pearl Walden logo and rosewood of Walden's Natura D710. Indian rosewood headstock fascia. sides create the D710s modest dreadnought shape, and the same black-swirled exotic PERFORMANCE wood covers the guitar's back. The Most steel-string acoustics create a lot of soundboard is solid Engelmann spruce, noise with each note, because their bodies which is known for its powerful projection and are not specifically designed to process the warm overtones. Tall scalloped braces in an acoustic pressure and dynamics from their X pattern form the D710's inner framework, accompanying soundboards. The Walden's serving to efficiently focus this guitar's output body and soundboard work harmoniously, and quell stray resonance. Walden's own producing exceptionally pure notes. I was uniquely curved rosewood bridge design helps impressed by the first sound I heard through to spread the strings' energy like waves across the D710 and continued to be inspired by the soundboard, and a subdued abalone every cleanly defined nuance and bell-like ring rosette surrounds the sound hole. of sustain. Few affordable acoustic guitars can create this kind of warmth and note separation.

THE BOTTOM LINE Walden's Natura Series D710 has a thin and fast neck on par with an electric guitar, its action is low and fast, and it exudes a wonderfully conservative beauty. The Walden D710 sets the standard for bargain acoustics and embarrasses many guitars at three times the price.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 36 waldenguitars.com 37 The guitar sits halfway on Walden's lineup, as sound and feel good, we all know that can be Natura G630CE Review part of the 'natura' finish line. They claim the different from one guitar to the next that came wood will age and mature the more and the off the same production line. Nov 2008 By Australian Guitar (Australia) longer that you play it, changing to match the style of your playing. The first point is likely This guitar immediately impressed me and true but in all honesty an ivory saddle and even after a number of days of playing it, I neck nut to replace the stock plastic items couldn't fault it in any game-ending sort of (SOLID TOP) GRAND AUDITORIUM would go along way to sweetening the tone of way. I consider a grand auditorium style guitar ACOUSTIC WITH CUTAWAY & PICKUP this guitar. much harder for manufacturers to get right, Walden is a manufacturer of "affordable" as you can't just replace tone and balance guitars. Those few words can make you run PLAYING IT with sheer volume attainable on other types for the hills or see real bargain potential. How each strings tone and volume is of guitar designs. Walden have done an balanced on an acoustic guitar can make a impressive job with this model, putting a great Every now and then when the Australian big difference to what you use it for, some shape, look and pickup system into the hands Guitar staff hand me a guitar to be reviewed guitars with a spectacular low end may sound of people with a limited budget. they ask me straight up "how much do you tinny and weak up top. Like other features think it's worth?" It's a good test because of this guitar, Walden have found a good it only takes a few minutes to formulate an middle ground and extracted about as much immediate opinion of an instrument, but much low end that is possible out of a typical grand longer to make sense of it and write it down, auditorium shape.Typically, the mids are which also gives you a chance for much more the most prominent of the sonic spectrum playing time. meaning fingerpicking, picked chords and the odd solo sound fine, but I wouldn't be using At first I guessed into 4 figures as I saw the this as an open chord strumming machine, grand auditorium shape, Fishman pickup, ALL ABOUT it responds better to a gentle touch than to a solid top, gold tuners and a reasonable sound. The Grand Auditorium shape has immediate smashing with a 2mm thick Dunlop. Needless to say I was surprised to hear my benefits of being light and easy to play guess was almost double the actual price of standing or sitting, the size a little more The Fishman pickup system installed on this this guitar. manageable than a dreadnought or jumbo. guitar is the same that is used on many other (and some more expensive) guitars and is BACKGROUND Up on the headstock the tuners are gold and your usual peizo under the bridge type design Your average guitar lover will know a one die cast and the Walden logo unobtrusive with a 9 volt powered preamp. You get treble, or two sentence background to a lot of the and classy with a pearl finish. The binding mids, bass and brilliance controls along with common guitar manufactures, so here's one to and inlays bring a bit of flair to an otherwise volume and a low battery warning light. I add to your mental list. The company Walden plain design and the pick-guard follows the wouldn't say that it adds anything to the sound came into existence around 12 years ago and shape of the cutaway and sound hole. There of the guitar, but I consider cheaper guitars is the result of two American luthiers designing is no denying that as far as looks, they got it without pickups quite limited, this factory fitted guitars then sending them to China to be very right with this guitar. Build quality is also system opens up the instrument to many more put together. The company actually doing impressive with no obvious bleed of the stain buyers, and while the tone plugged in isn't the cutting, bending and gluing is not new to or lacquer and all the joins tight and even. considerably sweet, it cuts through a band mix the game, they've been making instruments well enough. since as far back as the 1930's. You might The even grain of the laminated back and already be starting to draw conclusions about sides adds aesthetic appeal to the otherwise THE BOTTOM LINE craftsmanship and guitar royalty lineage, so plain finish and the bracing internally is With instruments at this price point, it all if you're the kind of person that won't buy any finely cut and lacks rough edges and tool comes down to value for money and how guitar that hasn't been sneezed on by an age scoring marks that you sometimes see in less many features can be packaged up into a old luthier wood worker in Alabama then keep expensive mass produced acoustic guitars. product that attracts buyers. With guitars on walking. however, you have that trump card that it must

My Music. My World. My Choice. 38 waldenguitars.com 39 Spinning the smooth chrome tuners, I Natura G570TB Review was pleased to find that pieces in open or altered tunings ring out with power and élan; May 2007 by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) each note in a chord sings with clarity and distinction. Playing with a pick produces a responsive, engaging tone, with a jangly sparkle evident during open-chord strumming, Handsome sunburst cedar top delivers three and plenty of volume, sustain, and punch dimensional tone and responsiveness at an available for palm-muted power chords or attractive price. biting single-note solo excursions.

While the Walden Guitars name is relatively Throughout, the G570TB rewards player new to the US market, the company has been nuance with the appropriate response: marketing instruments from its own Lilan, Vibrato, picking dynamics, and color changes China, factory to European, Canadian, and are reproduced on demand. In all, there South African guitarists since 1996. Starting is more than enough tactile feedback and with a business built around a traditional satisfying tone to reward beginners, advancing dreadnought and a single classical guitar intermediate players adding new techniques design, Walden has built its output into three to their to their repertoire, and advanced lines each of classical guitars and steel-strings players alike. made with a wide range of woods, body styles and price points. The affordable G570TB THE WRAP Grand Auditorium steel-string is part of their that occurs in low-humidity conditions) and With an appealing mahogany voice, versatile mid-level Natura line. Planet waves soundhole humidifier (with refill body size, and excellent build quality, the syringe). G570TB will work nicely for any player APPROACHABLE, ATTRACTIVE, AND wanting a dose of rich acoustic tone and AFFORDABLE BRIGHT AND BALANCED BIG BODY grown-up feel at a rock-bottom price. Its Despite its low price, the Walden's build quality The robust and aesthetically pleasing 15 handsome, woody looks and open-string is hard to fault. Fret ends lie flush against the 7/8-inch grand auditorium body— vaguely sparkle make it a natural choice for beginners bound-rosewood fretboard, and the precise reminiscent of a cross between a Taylor learning to strum their first chords, and an dot inlays and appropriately cut nut slots grand auditorium and an OM— combines instrument that's likely to remain rewarding to demonstrate care. The book-matched-cedar with the nicely C-shaped mahogany neck and play as they develop. top's dark tobacco sunburst and the back and medium factory action in a very comfortable side's attractive wood grains are protected by and playable package, though the action a seamless, satin nitrocellulose finish, with could easily go even lower with the help of a no excess buildup anywhere.The black/white/ setup tech. Played fingerstyle, the G570TB With an appealing mahogany voice, black rosette and matching body purfling also cheerfully responds with a bright, airy, give off a classy vibe that belies the G570TB's versatile body size, and excellent build mahogany tone and plenty of smooth sustain quality, the G570TB will work nicely for low price, and the backstrip, tailblock strip, behind the initial clear cedar edge. any player wanting a dose of rich acoustic and finely carved heel point all match up with tone and grown-up feel at a rock-bottom lay-line accuracy. A look inside revealed clean The 4 5/8-inch-deep body supports the price. kerfing and svelte, scalloped bracing, with tonewoods with a three dimensional tenor minimal visible excess glue— confirmation midrange and just enough baritone on bottom that this no thrown-together job— while the to balance things out. I found the bass strings Scan the QR code with your smartphone flawless bolt-on neck joint adds uptown to be focused and tight, with almost none of mystique. In all, fit and finish are excellent, to find out more the low-string thud that can plague guitars in about the G570TB. and Walden takes care to include a second this price range. "winter" saddle (to offset the lowered action

My Music. My World. My Choice. 40 waldenguitars.com 41 COUNTRY COMFORT Natura O550 Review Picking it up, the O550 is one of the most comfortable acoustic guitars I have played. Jan 2009 by Australian Guitar (Australia) This slightly smaller orchestra shape is very nicely positioned when you sit to play, and the body is about half an inch shallower than the corresponding dreadnought model. The We take a look at a petite offering from result is that the string length seems more Walden Guitars. accessible, which is particularly important for fingerstyle players. The O550's neck is a Walden Guitars are rapidly establishing an very subtle V-shape, which is not too deep enviable reputation for producing high quality, but still feels substantial in your hand. As we low cost acoustic guitars. Our expectations said earlier, the O550 has a beautiful natural have routinely been pushed higher and higher tone, which is mellow and rounded without over the past decade, so that it becomes losing any of its definition. Walden suggest increasingly difficult to raise the bar further, that this body shape is particularly well suited however our initial impressions of the Walden to recording due to its focused voice, and it is instruments did just that. Designed in the easy to agree with them. It really comes alive U.S.A and manufactured in China, they are when you fingerpick, its evenness allowing an object lesson in taking advantage of the each note to emerge equally, however it is just global manufacturing paradigm — it is far too as well suited to strumming, where its natural easy these days to source a generic model restraint smooths any dynamic rough edges. and have your logo printed on the headstock, with predictably uninspiring result, whereas THE BOTTOM LINE the guitars that have been pushing the budget common on guitars in this price range these The Walden O550 is an impressive instrument envelope have utilized cheaper off-shore days, is still a wonderful development — regardless of price, and the fact that it retails manufacturing in service of solid design and nothing sucks up the tone like a laminated for so little only makes it all the more of a with the benefit of demonstrably proactive soundboard, and there was a time not so stunning find. There are lots of affordable quality control. The 550 has been a foundation long ago when any guitar in this price range guitars around these days, and you could model in the Walden range to date, and has would have necessarily been stuck with one. easily make the mistake of assuming that previously been available in dreadnought and The back and sides are sapele, which is an since even the cheapest instruments are grand auditorium configurations. African timber closely related to mahogany. It pretty well put together these days, an entry- has become quite popular in luthiery over the level guitar is going to be pretty much equal, This year, the company expanded the range past decade, and it is an attractive tonewood, however the O550 proves that is not the to include orchestra and traveler versions of both in terms of its figured appearance and case. One of the things you are looking for the 550, and this issue we have the orchestra mellow yet clear tone. In tandem with a spruce in an expensive acoustic guitar is character, version O550 for your perusal. soundboard, sapele back and sides contribute and it is something you rarely encounter in to create a well balanced output that is warm an instrument costing as little as this one, THE ORCHESTRA QUESTION without sacrificing definition, and that is as however that is exactly what the Walden While the O550 is also available as a cutaway good a description of the tone of the O550 O550 has. All in all, it is an expressive and electric-acoustic, the review model is the Scan the QR code as any. The orchestra body shape is a little attractively voiced instrument that you would plain vanilla version. This is not a problem as with your smartphone smaller than a dreadnought, and although not baulk at spending twice as much on. to find out more it allows us to concentrate on the indigenous this inevitably sacrifices some volume, it also about the O550. tone of the guitar, which is very impressive helps to ensure that the O550 does not have for a guitar that retails for $399. One of the the strident tone that characterises so many features that surely contributes greatly to sub-$500 acoustic guitars. the quality of its output is a solid spruce soundboard, which although much more

My Music. My World. My Choice. 42 waldenguitars.com 43 Natura T550 Review In standard tuning, country-blues fingerpicking sounded delightfully dry and funky, but still Aug 2008 Scan the QR code by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA) quite full bodied. Single-note picking on the with your smartphone third and fourth strings yielded tones that were to watch a T550 a bit on the angular, boxy side, but the first video review. and second strings rang with authority, and the Review of a compact travel guitar that's a faster decay of all the notes worked well for blast to play—even when you're not out on the snappy, percussive strumming and flatpicking. road. Tuned down, the Walden is surprisingly bassy. And when I strummed some big, open drones For a lot of guitar players, travel guitars in my favorite C tuning, the Walden’s dry, are a compromise by definition. But as barky tonal tendencies gave way to a low end smaller-bodied guitars return to vogue, rich sustain that that belied the guitar’s small some of the industry’s most respected size and reinforced what a well-balanced builders are devoting more attention to the guitar the T550 is.The Walden’s neck feels quality and sound of travel- and parlor-size very substantial. And while the thick profile instruments. Walden Guitars is now among made the neck feel largish compared to the the manufacturers aiming to improve the sonic small body, it enhanced the Walden’s overall possibilities of the travel-size guitar. And on sense of substance and quality, and more than many counts, the new T550 hits the mark. likely contributed to the guitar’s tuning stability and sustain in lower open tunings. Walden isn’t yet a household name among guitar consumers. The company began attention to fit and quality. Kerfing and bracing THE WRAP building instruments in 1996, primarily for the were both exceptionally clean. On more than a few occasions during my European and Canadian markets, and entered time with the Walden, I would reach for the the US market for the first time several years And details like the truss-rod access —which T550 instead of a number of full-size guitars later. But in that short time Walden carved out are often marred by the splintery by-products around my house and in the office. A lot of that a respectable niche in the cluttered affordable- of drilling on similarly priced guitars—were has to do with the instrument’s unobtrusive guitar market, built on a reputation for value, spotlessly tidy. A small, tortoiseshell-colored size—it’s a really easy guitar to keep sitting quality construction, and playability. And it’s on pickguard, black and white rosette, and next to the couch or your desk while you’re these fronts that the T550 delivers. matching binding all contribute to a traditional, working, listening to records, or chatting. But classy look, and only the slim, tapered it also speaks volumes about how good the SMALL, SOLID, AND SUBDUED headstock hints at any kind of contemporary Walden sounds and feels. With its rich palette Like other Waldens we’ve seen, the T550 design influence. of tones; substantial, high-quality feel; and conveys an understated air of quality right responsiveness, the Walden makes a travel out of the case. The satin nitrocellulose RESONANT AND CUTTING companion that would be a delight to spend finish is flawless and reveals a handsome By virtue of their diminutive dimensions, time with in a hotel, around the campfire, straight- and even-grained spruce top that travel guitars can’t achieve the full-spectrum or on the trail. It’s an ideal guitar for smaller you’d expect to find on a more expensive tone or volume of a full-size guitar. But those players and students, and it’s easy to imagine guitar. The bookmatched laminate mahogany inherent limitations are part of what makes the recording situations where the Walden’s rich back, meanwhile, is quite striking in sunlight, T550’s projection, presence, and character so but not-so-boomy voice could come in handy. revealing a deep grain pattern that radiates remarkable.The Walden can’t quite muster the That versatility and more-than-satisfactory outward from the bass end of the body to sustain you’d get from a big-bodied, full-scale sonic qualities help the Walden stand apart With its rich palette of tones; substantial, achieve a subtle but cool sunrise effect. It guitar, either. But the T550 makes the most from much of the affordable travel-guitar pack. high-quality feel; and responsiveness, the also lends a sense that Walden is choosing its of its 7/8-scale body and compensates with Walden makes a travel companion that would be a delight to spend time with in a wood and materials with considerable care. tones that are complex and versatile across hotel, around the campfire, or on the trail. A peek around the interior revealed the same several styles.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 44 waldenguitars.com 45 more mellow than dreadnoughts. The grand Concorda CG2000CEQ Review auditorium is a little larger than in the lower by Australian Magazine (Australia) Xmas2009/Summer2010 bout than the orchestra, and indeed it shares characteristics with what other manufacturers Scan the QR code with your smartphone might term a mini-jumbo. Though it has a to find out more warm and balanced voice, mellow relative about the CG2000CEQ. SIMPLICITY, SIMPLICITY, SIMPLICITY! to the dreadnought, you should not assume I have reviewed a couple of Walden guitars that this one is a wallflower. The tone is rich over the past year, an orchestra body and a and powerful, and even in an ensemble with dreadnought, both from the 500 series of the a couple of other acoustic guitars, confidently Natura line. Retailing for about $400, they projects. As with the other Waldens we have were exceptionally good instruments that we seen, balance is the key, and in that regard the contend would have been just as compelling CG2000CEQ is superior. Dynamic variations at twice the price. With solid spruce tops, are as much about saturation as volume, and and mahogany back and sides, they had the fingerpicked passages retain their presence. sort of well-balanced voice that distinguishes The Prefix Pro is the perfect pre-amp to a good acoustic instrument, though more translate the CG2000CEQ’s gorgeous natural than that, they had character; an indefinable voice, it perfectly conveys that sense of something one doesn’t usually encounter with balance and manages to capture the essence instruments in that price range. This issue we of the instrument’s complex tone. It features a are going to take a look at a considerably more 4-band EQ (bass, mid, treble, brilliance), plus expensive Walden guitar. The CG2000CEQ a notch filter and phase reversal switch, and is one of the premium 2000 series models solid tops with laminated back and sides. the control panel is hinged to allow access to from the Concorda line, which is basically Of course, this issue’s review model has a the battery compartment. the gloss finished range, while Natura and Fishman Prefix Pro preamp and cutaway, SupraNatura models are satin finished. In whereas the corresponding models with such THE BOTTOM LINE addition to the orchestra bodied CO2000, appointments in the 500 series (albeit the Well, the 500 series Waldens were so good, which like the review model features a Sitka Fishman Classic 4 instead of the Prefix Pro) it was difficult to imagine how the top shelf spruce top with rosewood back and sides, retail for up to $600, which of course closes Waldens would stack up relative to them. I there is the CG2010 (grand auditorium shape, the gap significantly.The timber used in the am happy to say that the high standard they as is the review model, with Engelmann making of this guitar is absolutely gorgeous. set in terms of design and construction, when spruce top and rosewood back and sides) and The deep dark grain of the back and sides is executed with premium materials, produces the CD2040 (dreadnought with Sitka spruce mesmerising, and the face of the headstock is an instrument that is absolutely deserving of top and mahogany back and sides). All have finished with a veneer of the same rosewood. its place toward the top of the range. It is like a mahogany neck, the 2000’s with an ebony The neck is mahogany, which is also used this guitar delivers on a promise that the 500 fretboard, the 2010 and 2040 with rosewood. alongside maple in creating the elegantly series only hinted at. The much feted character simple rosette. The Sitka spruce top is quite exhibited by those earlier instruments springs ECONOMY blonde, and though it appears relatively plain, fully to life with the CG2000CEQ; it is a guitar Retailing for almost four times as much as there is a subtle quilting that is very attractive. that can confidently play whichever role you the Walden models we have seen before, assign it, and all with a voice that you just the CG2000CEQ raises our expectation SOUNDS want to keep hearing. considerably – it is one thing to unexpectedly The grand auditorium shape is one I like ...a guitar that can confidently play discover character in a $400 guitar, but very much. It is most similar to, but not as waisted as the orchestra shape, both of whichever role you assign it, and all with a we demand character (and a whole lot voice that you just want to keep hearing. more) from a guitar retailing for $1500. which are rounded and more waisted than Obviously materials will be superior, and the a dreadnought. To my ear, these shapes CG2000CEQ is constructed entirely of solid produce a more focused and better-balanced timbers, whereas the cheaper models had bass and mid-range, and are generally My Music. My World. My Choice. 46 waldenguitars.com 47 Note tracking is sensitive, responsive and Concorda CG600CE Review distinct, much in the same way as the EQ Aug 2009 operates with good integrity to each respective Scan the QR code by Acoustic Magazine (UK) frequency. When plugged in, the breadth of with your smartphone this guitar's vocal character widens in potential to find out more about the CG600CE. immensely. After playing for a few minutes By virtue of its minimalistic headstock design the battery expired and replacement was a and distinctive scratchplate, it is its own guitar. painless process. Access is easy as the whole But does it deliver sonic individuality? preamp rotates outward towards you. The battery itself is held in place with a simple and The first thing that grabbed my attention with effective push-down locating clip. this guitar was the elegant body shape design, which is not dissimilar to certain brands in the The guitar is also thoughtfully supplied with marketplace. The cutaway adds more than a spare replacement saddle, bridge pin, just good access to the upper registers of the Allen key, and even a Plant Waves humidifier fingerboard in that it contributes to the flow designed to sit inside the soundhole. In of the guitar's proportions. Further finesse is addition you are provided with a simple to be enjoyed with the simple yet smart white booklet describing how to get the most from plastic binding and bridge pins. your preamp along with some practically useful suggested EQ settings for playing The tidiness of finish on the Chinese made fingerstyle, with scooped mids, for strumming instrument is genuinely impressive. Set up patterns and for cutting through the mix. with an average height on the action, this of the preamp as it whips away unwanted Walden was fun to play and will suffice as a frequencies which typically contribute to The features which are the best assets of solid workhorse for your gigging venues. The feedback —a particular burden in some this guitar are the quality Fishman Aero Plus mahogany neck profile is just fantastic — venues when you have little choice but to sit preamp system, its rosewood back and sides, a shallow C cross-section. It is slim enough virtually on top of your amplifier. To operate and intonated saddle. I found the rosewood to be well seated in your hand for delicate it, you set the volume to your desired level fingerboard a little dry to my tastes, but this is playing and yet substantial enough to give a where feedback starts to occur, and the you nothing a small amount of lemon oil wouldn't great pivot for vibrato. I would have liked to gradually turn the notch filter clockwise until rectify very quickly. have made a small adjustment to the truss rod the feedback is vanquished. to lower the action marginally, but this should So in answer to the question, 'Does it be readily achieved by asking your retailer. The brilliance pot dials in more top-end sparkle deliver?', the CG600CE does so, and It is light, well balanced, evenly fretted, with and classy qualities to your sound. If you reasonably well at that. At £410 it represents clean fret ends. Upon inspecting the back have ever become frustrated with finger noise a great tool which may perhaps offer you braces it's easy to see that they are quite tall coming from the strings when you are striving greater value for money than its more and well finished in their tapered profile. for a clean recording, this subtle control can expensive and similarly proportioned cousins. also assist you with this, simply by turning it This price point is fiercely contended, more so Extra consideration has been taken in counter-clockwise. If you are required to play than ever, so it is refreshing to see the quality assisting the live performer. The Fishman at low volumes on your gigs, you may well of components which make this guitar and Aero Plus preamp features a three-band find yourself using the phase switch, as it accompany it, adding further to its value. The graphic EQ (bass, middle and treble), but improves the bass response and also assists EQ system is the show-stealer and sets it up unlike many systems available today it also in reducing feedback at high volumes —a as a fresh competitor for your consideration. comes equipped with some more professional versatile sidekick. It is definitely worth your attention as a stock The mahogany neck profile is just fantastic touches.There are notch, brilliance and phase guitar for your rack. —a shallow C crosssection. It is slim enough controls, all of which help provide practical The tuner itself has a large digital format to be well seated in your hand for delicate playing and yet substantial enough to give solutions to live-performance situations. readout of the note being played, with suitably a great pivot for vibrato. Perhaps the notch filter is the most useful part clear indicators for overly sharp or flat notes. My Music. My World. My Choice. 48 waldenguitars.com 49 wood to breathe, move and resonate. I had Natura N730 Classical Nylon Review to remind myself on more than one occasion that this is an entry-level guitar and comment Oct 2009 by Acoustic Magazine (UK) accordingly.

The acid test with classical guitars is how the top three strings respond, especially in Quality materials, beautiful finish and great the higher positions. The N730 scores well sound! Walden Guitars have scored again with in all departments. It has a consistency of the N730, a great guitar at an unbelievable tonal quality, producing a solid core sound price. throughout the entire range and an even sustain, especially above the seventh fret on Walden Guitars have established a reputation the first string. for producing high quality instruments at very competitive prices. Their instruments The string set-up is excellent and, importantly, are designed in America, built in China, and the distance from the first string to the edge clearly demonstrate that a properly managed of the fretboard is sufficient to allow space for overseas manufacturing operation can correctly executed ligados (not enough space produce quality instruments at a fraction of is a common problem). The neck contours the price of an entirely home-grown effort. The enable a comfortable playing experience, and N730 classical guitar follows in this tradition the satin finish also ensures that the thumb and for the price the result is excellent. glides smoothly along the back of the neck, with none of the drag sometimes associated This instrument looks, plays and sounds like with gloss lacquer. Walden have really taken serious note of guitarists’/guitar teachers’ opinions of what spruce, so in the few days I had this guitar I they would like to see in an entry level guitar. noticed the instrument developing.The overall tone is resonant and clear, with an abundance Build and Features of overtones, and for a guitar of this price quite The overall tone is resonant and clear, with The most striking and immediately obvious remarkable. As is often the case with cedar an abundance of overtones, and for a guitar feature is the finish. Satin nitrocellulose tops you don’t need to coax the sound out as of this price quite remarkable. lacquer, thinly applied, gives this guitar you sometimes have to with spruce — it’s just a natural, elegant and subtle aesthetic, there, punchy and bold. The balance between enhancing the clean, simple and uncluttered bass and treble tends to lean towards the lines of the instrument. bass — usual in new nylon-strung instruments — but with a little more playing the treble An understated abalone rosette complements should develop further. the natural appearance of the top. The soundboard is fine-grained solid western Sounds Scan the QR code with your smartphone cedar, with solid Indian rosewood back, The instrument responds well to a wide range to find out more rosewood sides and fingerboard. Hauser/ of dynamic demands.The bass response is about the N730. Torres inspired fan bracing, traditional positive over the entire range and has a bell- rosewood bridge and saddle construction, like clarity in mid register. The treble is clear and standard 650mm scale length ensure the and bright with more than enough sustain in N730 remains true to its heritage. the upper register and no wolf notes. This guitar is loud, a result not just of the excellent A cedar top generally gives an immediate and materials and craftsmanship, but also the robust response and plays in quicker than minimal use of finishing lacquer allowing the

My Music. My World. My Choice. 50 waldenguitars.com 51 Two in the blues

Good mood on the road World universe Music and dreams

Paolo Gianolio Italy Paologianolio.com The following pages contain stories from real players (including Walden international artists and worldwide owners) about 13 of Walden's popular models: G3000, G2070, G3030CEQ, G1070CEQ, N2030, G740CE, G730, G630CE, G570 family, D550, D560 family, T550, O550, and D552. Potential customers conduct independent research and seek information from musicians as well as other customers who have purchased similar products. In addition, your music reflects your life, so does your guitar. Look at the choices they made. We trust that you will be as inspired by Artist & Owner Reviews these Walden friends’ stories as we are. In the end, these experiences are the true reward for making great instruments and it is why we are in the guitar business.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to read artist reviews.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to read owner reviews.

waldenguitars.com My Music. My World. My Choice. 54 55 My choices matter

waldenguitars.com My Music. My World. My Choice. 56 57 “This is 'my path' to finding my Walden guitar - G3000. At the age of 8 I had classical guitar lessons till I was 16. From the age of 16 – 20 years old I played all sorts of music still using my classical guitars. It wasn’t until I saw Antoine Dufour’s song 'Spiritual Groove' off SupraNatura G3000 Youtube when I was 20 years old that my life changed in terms of guitar playing. The likes of Don Ross, Andy Mckee and Antoine Dufour play a type of Fingerstyle Percussive playing involving technical techniques like harmonic “I’ve played a Walden SupraNatura G3000 for tapping on a sort of grand auditorium/jumbo quite a while now. This steel string guitar is shaped acoustic guitar. more than just worth its money! It enlightens the room with its open voice and is rich in “So, eagerly having this desire to dive straight harmonics. The Walden is comfortably to into this style of guitar playing, I needed handle and easy to play. I love to use my an acoustic guitar of this nature. Having no Walden in my project studio for extreme knowledge or experience in acoustic guitar strumming. It also performs very well when brands, I knew one thing: I wanted the same playing pop ballads with a pick. It’s an all- style of guitar as these amazing guitarists. rounder which inspires me to try new things. After a long time searching the internet I came My guitar students and I are enthusiastic about across the G3000 and I fell in love with it. I both the SupraNatura series as well as about loved its dark, thick Indian Rosewood back the lower price ranges. If you think about and sides, satin finish and its neck. You also getting a better guitar you should definitely receive a hardback case, which looks just as think about getting a Walden. You’ll get a lot beautiful as the guitar itself! I was impressed guitar for medium money!” with the price and the clear sound it produces from a harmonic tap, it’s amazing! Scan the QR code Andreas Oberholz with your smartphone for more information Walden Germany Artist “I actually told one of my good friends, who on the G3000. gitarrenunterrichtberlin.de has the same guitar background, about Walden and he also fell in love with the G2070. Being 6 months down the line since we both bought our Walden guitars, we love playing them and they're our treasured possessions. Walden’s G3000 guitar has met my needs and desires in providing me with a beautiful guitar with the clear and perfect sounds I want.

“This is 'my path, my dream. My Walden' story.”

Glen Kingsley Ewing UK youtube.com/user/glene7

My Music. My World. My Choice. 58 waldenguitars.com 59 “I am a middle-aged, short woman with small “I have played fingerstyle guitar for 25 hands and I decided I wanted to take guitar to 30 years. My last name is Walden (no lessons. I have been using a Washburn 3/4 connection), which led to my initial curiosity size guitar (a model Washburn doesn't make about Walden guitars. I recently bought a anymore) because the neck on a full-sized G2070, and feel blessed. It is difficult for me guitar is just too wide for me. So, even though to imagine that any other guitar at any price SupraNatura G2070 the Washburn guitar is all right, I decided I could be significantly better in aesthetics, wanted a new guitar. playability, or sound. It’s like a handmade custom instrument. This thing is as clear “I went to the internet and started studying up as a bell, and set up perfectly. I would be on different guitar makers, and I ran across an embarrassed to tell you what a deal I got on it. “I love the quick response to finger picking article about the new narrow necks on your I own several other steel string and classical — the sound springs off the top in such a guitars. I went to your website and checked guitars. Over time, I intend to replace them lively manner...there seems to be a natural out the guitars. Listened to the different artists all with Walden models. Thanks a million for compression in these guitars.” playing different models of your guitars and making these guitars available at such a great decided I liked the G2070. price. Walden Guitars has to be one of the Michael Mucklow biggest made-in-China success stories.” Walden USA Artist “Well, the closest dealer to me is over 2 hours michaelmucklow.com away so that is why I went to eBay. Anyway, Wayne Walden I bought this guitar and got it delivered to me North Muskegon, Michigan, USA Friday and I have spent a lot of this weekend playing it. It is everything your website said it would be and I love it!

“The neck is just right for me. It is the same size (if not a little narrower) as my 3/4 size guitar yet it has this wonderful, resonant sound of a full size guitar because it is one. I love the way it is made and think it is just gorgeous. Just thought I would let you know what I think “The guitar has an amazing crisp and precise of it. I am going to tell all the women guitar top end, yet has awesome bass tones and players I know about your guitars. Thanks for nicely rounded mids, an ideal sound for my a great guitar!” style, that coupled with a very responsive Scan the QR code design and a superbly ergonomic neck profile with your smartphone for more information makes this the best guitar I have played since Robin Riley on the G2070. I began some 15 years ago.” Evansville, IN, USA

Dave Warren Walden UK Artist davewarrenguitarist.com

My Music. My World. My Choice. 60 waldenguitars.com 61 “My Walden G3030CEQ is a top instrument that I don´t want to miss anymore, neither on stage nor in the studio.”

Daniel Wagner SupraNatura G3030CEQ Guitarist of 4backwoods Walden Germany Artist myspace.com/4backwoods

“The Walden SupraNatura G3030CEQ is a fantastic finger-style guitar that has warm, “Its extreme playability makes the Walden mellow tones that provide me with that subtle G3030CEQ the guitar everyone has ever variety, whether I am on the stage or in the dreamed of.” studio.” Jean-François Rex Goh Walden France Artist Walden Australia Artist www.rexgoh.com

“I love my Walden G3030CEQ. It's rich but bright, and incredibly easy to play, which “I love my SuperNatura G3030CEQ. Its I really appreciate as a finger-style guitar characteristics linked with its excellent player. Its extended highs and lows give me a workmanship and elegant finish make it a real nice, full sound, and its tone cradles my voice piece of jewelry that I don´t want to put down.” perfectly.” Tobi Born Michelle Lewis Guitarist of the Nadine Kraemer Band Walden USA Artist Walden Germany Artist michellelewismusic.com tobiborn.de

“I have got to say it has to be one of the best acoustic guitars I have played in many years. It felt like an 'old' guitar from the moment I "WOW! What can I say. It is truly a Blessing picked it up and started playing (that's a good to play this high quality work of art. The thing I hope you know)!” craftsmanship along with the fit and finish is fantastic! This guitar has such a deep and Dizzy G Gillespie smooth tone all the way up and down the Walden USA Artist board and sounds amazing playing live shows. myspace.com/dizzgillespie …Way Cool!"

Colton www.myspace.com/coltonandzara

My Music. My World. My Choice. 62 waldenguitars.com 63 “The Walden lies very well in the hand and is easily playable. It convinces with its warm sound and I very much like the simple design. A really beautiful guitar that perfectly fits my SupraNatura G1070CEQ music with its true sound.”

Nadine Kraemer Walden Germany Artist nadinekraemerband.com “I have owned many guitars and my Walden is by far the sweetest sounding one of them. Sweet highs, gentle mids, and basses that are full without being boomy. The neck is perfect for my hands and fast runs are smooth all “This is a guitar with a strong character, the way up and down the neck. The Fishman perfect for playing chords and melodies. The Prefix perfectly recreates the acoustic sound guys at Walden have spent a lot of time in of the guitar and it's simple to dial in a great developing a great sounding instrument. With sound. This will be my main guitar both on perfect tuning stability and a superb feeling, and off the road. I simply could not be happier. it is able to capture the attention of both the Great job!” player and the audience! The Walden Paolo Gianolio Signature is an acoustic guitar that I Scott Bravo would and could really recommend to all of my Walden USA Artist guitar player colleagues!” myspace.com/scottbravomusic Paolo Gianolio “I really love my G1070CEQ. I use it both live Walden Italy Artist and in the studio. It has great feel, sounds paologianolio.com great and looks cool too! It's also a great writing tool. Having the pickup makes it super easy for writing demos.” “This is a top shelf guitar in so many respects, and its available to folks in a way most guitars Mike Krompass of this caliber would only be dreamed of. If you Walden USA Artist dream of one day owning a truly fine acoustic myspace.com/mikek guitar but feel that it's just out of reach — guess again! That day is here.”

Sean Harkness Walden USA Artist “Walden Guitar has helped me compose and seanharkness.com express the true me; Walden Guitar enables me more freedom; Walden Guitar makes it easy to play, compose and be free.”

Maite Kelly Walden Germany Artist maitestarkelly.com

My Music. My World. My Choice. 64 waldenguitars.com 65 SupraNatura N2030 Scan the QR code with your smartphone for more information on the N2030. “I play a Walden SupraNatura N2030. This one is just ingenious and easily playable with its smallish distance between the strings and fingerboard. Barrés work is trouble- free, something that can be a decisive “My Walden guitars (steel and nylon factor for beginners and really strings) are in constant use, live and recommends buying a Walden guitar. in the studio. They sound great, are And you get an unbeatable value for a easily playable and do really amuse.” commendable price.” Tobias Meinen Sonja Ullmer Walden Germany Artist Walden Germany Artist gitarrenunterrichtberlin.de

My Music. My World. My Choice. 66 waldenguitars.com 67 Natura G740CE

“I've owned Martin guitars in the past and tried many guitars before making my most recent purchase (Martin, Taylor, Alvarz, Breedlove, Atlas, Takamine) and have to say that I'm really impressed by the playability, sound and value of your guitars. Thanks for making such a guitar available for those of us that don't have thousands of dollars to spend, but still want a good sound.”

Derek R.

“Bought a G740CE last Fall and like it so well that I just bought a G630CE for open G tuning and slide. After playing dreadnoughts for many years I find the G-body more comfortable and with a better-balanced sound than most larger guitars.”

Charlie A. Thunder Bay, Ontario, USA

“Walden is a versatile guitar appealing to various genres allowing for a variety of uses from one single guitar.”

Justin Willet Walden USA Artist willetonline.com

Scan the QR code with your smartphone for more information on the G740CE.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 68 waldenguitars.com 69 Natura G730

“When I recorded 'Rest Now (Reprise)' I was stunned at how the guitar recorded so effortlessly. By that I mean there was little EQ used and Reverb was only for flavor. The guitar is now 5 months in my possession. It has gotten better and better and there is a personality that comes out of this instrument that just makes me smile.

“You know that Walden is the first choice of mine when recommending a guitar.

“It must make you smile to know how many people love these instruments. I sure do. I think I sold another one tonight... A guy who is coming to my studio for a recording project played it and FELL IN LOVE ! I told him to go to Play It Again Music in Ann Arbor, MI and buy himself one. He seemed pretty interested. He asked if he could use mine in the studio if needs be. I said of course.

“So now I am getting a G570... Tho I am awfully tempted by the O550.... We'll have to see. Anyway thanks again for these fine instruments... I am a fan for life. I have a pretty big stable of guitars but I will buy more Waldens and sell others I don't like as much.

“This is my Walden with a student's new G570 and is she ever happy! She wants me to record with it so my next unheard of 'greatest hits' will be with hers and mine Gs.”

Cliff Sullins

“My new Walden guitar delivers a rich, warm tone which turns any concert venue into a living room with a small fireplace, blanket and hot cup of coffee.”

Jeremy Willet Walden USA Artist willetonline.com

Scan the QR code with your smartphone for more information on the G730.

My Music. My World. My Choice. 70 waldenguitars.com 71 “I absolutely adore my Walden. I have recently bought a G630CE and without doubt, it is my favourite acoustic.

“I have been playing for 30 years, during that time I have horse traded so many guitars I can't Natura G630CE count them all. In the late 90's with a new job and starting a family — my music went into the closet. Now my daughter does not need so much attention lavished on her — I have in the past two years got back into playing guitar again.

“I have too many strats, 335's and some home brew guitars. I wanted a nice classy acoustic, “I have played guitar on and off for about 27 years and, although I am pretty proficient in various but just could not find what I was looking for — until I found Walden. The balance of sound is styles of electric and acoustic type music, I am not a professional musician. I do know a good just perfect, the resonance is to die for. The intonation as supplied was perfect and makes the instrument when I see one though, and I have had the opportunity to play quality instruments harmonics just ring. I play all sorts of genres and have used this from classical pieces, through such as Martin, Taylor, Ovation, Takamine, etc. jazz and blues, to rock and experimental. “I bought my G630CE from eBay as a new but blemished due to two tiny hairline cracks in the “Thank you Walden for producing my most prized guitar — a guitar that will get even better over lacquer, so I paid only about one third of the normal United Kingdom retail price. Because of that time. This one will stay with me forever, it's a keeper and a joy to play.” I knew I would be getting a pretty good instrument for a bargain price, but this did not prepare me for what I discovered when I opened the box.

Ian J Cowan “The guitar was presented very well in its standard cardboard box, and comes with a great little Washington, UK humidifier and full instructions for that and the electrics. I was a little worried about the darkness of the back and sides and feared that it may be inferior wood or plywood stained to emulate rosewood very convincingly, but quickly discovered that not only are the back and sides good tonewoods, but the cedar top is of a close-grained quality that is quite rare these days. The finish “It took me four years to find my true love (a Gretsch Sierra Jumbo with the Fishman 'prefix') but quality is as perfect as one can hope for in a natural wood instrument, and the fretwork was your G630CE beat it out....I've owned Martins, Epiphones, a Gibson, a Guild, a Blueridge, Jay immaculate. The only thing I would say is that the bridge and fingerboard do need some feeding Tursers, Washburns and many others within the $500 to $800 range. I purchased the Walden for as they look and feel a bit dry, but this is normal and should be done regularly by the user less money and it's better than any of these.” anyway.

“I could feel the resonance even by handling the guitar before tuning it to pitch which was done Steve Bottcher accurately with the quality gold coloured machine heads that enhance the appearance. Wow! The guitar sang sweetly and stayed in tune after a quick stretch of the strings and a re-tune. The intonation is spot on, and harmonics ring out better than any other acoustic I have played. The neck is very comfortable and string spacing feels somewhere between a standard steel string Scan the QR code acoustic and a Fender Stratocaster, so it's easy to get an immediate feel for the fretboard. with your smartphone for more information “The Fishman Classic 4 transducer does not let the guitar down when plugged in. Even though on the G630CE. I first tested it on a little 10 watt Ibanez acoustic amp, the tones were true and very lively. The graphic equaliser works very well when playing through different amps and altering playing style, and gives enough variation and compensation for just about anyone's needs. I tried to make it boom and feed back, but I found it almost impossible where much more expensive guitars have annoyingly done so without trying.

“I'm going to love playing this guitar, and I would recommend this model to any serious amateur or professional musician without reservation at the full retail price. In other words, my bargain purchase is not flavouring my perceptions of what is a quality instrument.”

Bill Dalziel Scotland My Music. My World. My Choice. 72 waldenguitars.com 73 “Today I got my new Walden, a lovely G570TB. I am still surprised at the cost since to me it sounds and plays and seems built and set up like a much dearer instrument. I initially played the all solid and more expensive G3000 at Manson’s guitar show last weekend in the UK, but I liked the cedar top of the 570 and the price too! I would add that I have played guitars by Freshman, Yamaha, Takamine and Tanglewood in this price range and up to about £500 and although very Natura G570 Family good, I can say that to my ears this guitar is better. Owing to the low cost of the Walden and a favourable p/x deal I was also able to afford a dreadnought I had my eye on as well, so I can now benefit from two totally different bodied guitars giving me a broader range of sound.”

Matt Allen “I just bought a G570, and I’m astounded by the amount of quality and tone packed into such an Exeter, UK inexpensive package. I’ve owned a LOT of nice guitars over 25 years, some as much as 5 times the price of the G570, and this one can hold its own against any of them. Thanks Walden!”

“It was love at first sight! When the Walden G570TB became available I bought her at first Rob S. chance. What a beautiful looking guitar as well as an amazing sounding guitar! Still can't get over Needham, MA, USA the price! I will be forever, a life-long Walden guitar fan. Thanks.”

Trina B. Ogden Dunes, IN, USA “I am the proud 2nd place winner of your G570 through the Walden Giveaway with Playguitar! What a beautiful guitar! The tone and action are perfect for me. It's even caused me to venture out of the woodshed and into a small band. Not a bad start for a 52 year old that's been stuck in the same chords and simple riffs for the last 30 years, eh?”

Dave Middleton

Scan the QR code “I picked up my Walden G570CE about a year ago and it was absolutely love at first sight. I with your smartphone personally have always been a dreadnaught fan but the feel of the Grand Auditorium blew me for more information on the G570. away. Walden’s are becoming extremely popular among my friends and fellow pickers. A close friend of mine that I perform with took one look at my Walden, played for about ten minutes and then went out and purchased one identical to mine. We have since had to have our names stitched into our gig bags to tell our instruments apart. I was asked one Saturday night at an open mic night if I liked my Taylor I was playing and my only response was, 'You must be mistaken, I only play Walden guitars.' Thanks so much for producing a guitar that sounds like a million dollars but doesn’t cost it.”

John Hudson Spartanburg, SC, USA

My Music. My World. My Choice. 74 waldenguitars.com 75 “The fit and finish are very good, the playability made by Martin or even some of your lower is very very good, and the tone is a cross priced Taylors. I own a ESP-LTD, EC-100 and between Martin and Taylor. Every string plays a Jay Turser Tele but the guitar I seem to not true with punchy trebles and a very present be able to go more than a day without picking bass. I am very pleased.” up and playing is my Walden D550. This guitar Natura D550 feels as good as it sounds and I could not Tom Gindorf be happier with it. If your looking for a quality guitar that is pleasing to the ear snag yourself a Walden, you will be glad you did.”

“I just purchased, yesterday, a D550 and “I recently purchased a nice affordable Walden absolutely love it! I feel like the luckiest 58- D550 acoustic guitar for a friend that wanted “I have been playing acoustic guitar since I Scott Tuckness year old guy in the world. It was the only to learn how to play. I looked around a few was 8 and I am 42 years old. I play for my Walden in the store, hanging among Martin's, stores and the guitars in that price range were own enjoyment and never really have had any Larivee's, Gibson's, Cort's, Seagull's, typically in need of severe adjustments, then desire to be a professional player but I have Fender's, Epiphone's, and others. Although I came across the Walden Guitars. This guitar owned a lot of different low priced guitars over many of those others were excellent guitars, played nicely right off the shelf with a nice rich the years. I have owned Washburn's, Ovation, when I played the Walden D550 it had the tone and the factory setup was great. For the Alvarez and Oscar Schmitt to name a few. most wonderful, musical voice I could imagine. money I figured she couldn't go wrong. So I The fit and finish superb in every detail. The gave a few lessons and the more I played this “With a wife and 3 kids to support going out set-up and action were perfect. My fingers guitar the more I liked it. So after a few nights and snagging a Taylor or Martin is not going glide effortlessly up and down the silky on the web and reading up on Walden Guitars to happen so when I was looking to get rid fretboard, and the strings do not screech when I've taken the plunge and just ordered a 12 of a Jumbo sized acoustic I went shopping. sliding over them. Moreover the string spacing String D552, a G3000 and a G1070CEQ for A little place by the name of P-Hill Auctions is great for fingerstyle playing. I cannot believe my own personal use. The quality of the parts in Pleasant Hill, Missouri was selling some how easy this instrument is to play. The string and workmanship is fantastic and make these Walden's, so I got curious and being an tension in regular tuning seems so relaxed, the best value in acoustic guitars that I have IT manager for GE I research everything I and yet the tonal qualities do not degrade seen in years. Keep up the great work!” purchase. While I could not find a lot of ink on under moderately heavy strumming. The Walden guitars what I did find was nothing but strings are so very easy to press down, and good. Normally you find 50% of the people yet there is no buzzing.” Paul Toracinta love a brand and the other 50% hate them and Rockville, RI, USA start talking about the action being too high or the tuning keys being horrible or the neck Ralph Fourt not having a good feel and of course the most important thing about any guitar: TONE.

“Finally I went to P-Hill played a Epiphone, Jay Turser and a Washburn D-10S before I picked up the Walden D550. While it did not have Scan the QR code fancy tobacco sunburst or blue or red shiny with your smartphone paint job it was nice looking in a natural way, for more information on the D550. thus natural finish. However I tuned this guitar up, and starting playing some chords and the tone of this guitar just about knocked me off the stool I was sitting on.

“Folks this guitar has tone that I believe could stand up against 800 to 900 dollar guitars

My Music. My World. My Choice. 76 waldenguitars.com 77 "I’m a touring singer/songwriter. I play all kinds of stages with different set ups, sound guys, bands and crowd sizes—sometimes all in one day. I need an instrument that is Natura T550 Travel Guitar comfortable, transportable and reliable. I need to know I can pull a great sound at a moments notice. That’s my Walden."

“With a great acoustic sound for the studio and “Just unpacked my Walden travel guitar. I'm Sally-Anne Whitten the more intimate venues, the T550 is also speechless, it sounds great, first and most Walden Australia Artist small-bodied enough to avoid feedback issues importantly. It's beautiful, it was in tune out www.sallyannewhitten.com.au when equipped with a pick-up and plugged in of the box, the gigbag is great and there is a for the big stage. It is reliable, versatile and humidifier! I can't believe it, how do you do it? has a tone entirely its own — just what I've My baby Taylor sounds like a toy compared been looking for.” to the Walden. I have to work in Switzerland unfortunately even though I live in Torino, Italy, but you guys just gave me some help to get Andres Roots up in the morning and go through my work Walden Estonia Artist days knowing that when I get home I have a andresroots.com real guitar to play even though all my axes are back in Torino.”

Paolo Torino, Italy

Scan the QR code with your smartphone for more information on the T550. "She grew musically out of her old guitar. The music shop we go to recommended a backpackers size guitar to us with softer strings and set it all up for us, as the rest of her family (me included) have not got a musical bone in our body. It is a pleasure to see her play now and the enjoyment she gets from your guitar. I attached a picture of her busking in town, she has just turned 11."

Linda Knight Anna's mother UK

My Music. My World. My Choice. 78 waldenguitars.com 79 "Having toured and produced extensively, I have had to expect a high level of reliability from my guitars. From my initial contact with the guitars through to today, Walden Natura O550 Ochestra Model has provided me with that pleasant surprise that not only provides me with a great stage instrument but one which also gives me that additional choice in the studio." “I´ve chosen the Walden Orchestra O550CE. Her body is comfortably small, but anyhow it sounds warm and pressing. It is perfect for live sessions and sounds exactly the way I wished Alwyn Aurisch for. The sound is sparkling, but also deep and warm.” Guitarist of The Rumour Mill & Session Walden Australia Artist myspace.com/alwynaurisch John Goldtrain Walden Germany Artist myspace.com/johngoldtrain

“The O550 has the same Walden qualities of sound as the other models I own and/or have played. There's an 'air' or 'lightness' to the tone. I've just never been able to aptly define it with words. This guitar also has that quick response, 'snappiness', off the soundboard that I've personally come to really like about Waldens. I like what I hear, especially with regard to how nicely it recorded. The O550 will be used for a song or two on my next Fingerstyle CD.

“I find the tone to be a bit similar to a parlor guitar I own. Yet, overall, it does have the Scan the QR code to listen to the O550. OM type sound which is comparable to the nicer OM style guitars that are in the $1400- 2000 price range. But you know yourself how subjective guitar tone is.

“Yeah, I like what I hear with the O550...definitely!”

Michael Mucklow Walden USA Artist

My Music. My World. My Choice. 80 waldenguitars.com 81 Natura D552

“I've had my D552 for about a month. I love it. It plays well and holds tune very nicely. This is Scan the QR code my first (and probably only) 12 string. I've heard they can be hard to tune and keep tuned, but with your smartphone this one does very well. I play it and my D550E about equally, leading praise and worship in the for more information church I attend. Thanks for two great instruments.” on the D552.

A. J. Smith of Seven Springs Church Calera, AL, USA sevenspringschurch.net.

“My wife bought me a D552 for Christmas. “I traded in my Yamaha 12 string for a brand What a fantastic gift! I had played many new D350CEB for my 12 year old son. This other 12 string guitars at a local music store, guitar, even for being on the entry level of including Fenders, Seagulls, and Taylors. Walden, is fantastic! He loves it. Hell, I love I found the Walden D552 be be a very it! It's very comfortable/easy to play and comfortable 12 string to play. This guitar sounds great....not to mention it's great sounds excellent and was my favorite of the looking black gloss finish. Also, I sold my lot. An incredible value as well. Everyone that 'Little Martin' and picked up the D552 for my has seen and played my Walden is amazed son for Christmas. It arrived and I had to take by how great it sounds and how great they it out and try it before I wrapped it and put it compare to other 12 strings.” away. What a great sounding guitar. Blows that Yamaha away by a long shot! This D552 is also comfortable/easy to play and sounds Robert Jacobson incredible. Keep up the good work! I don't Chicco, CA, USA know how many more Walden's one family can have! It amazes me that with this quality (and price point) that Walden's aren't more common.” “I let my brother and three other friends try my Waldens and none of them believed the quality, and the voice on such affordable Steve Valenti guitars. Bottom line, they now all own one.” Weston, CT, USA

Michael C. Troy, NY, USA

My Music. My World. My Choice. 82 waldenguitars.com 83 WALDEN REVIEW BOOK

2012 Edition

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