
Lindo LDG-56CEQ electro-acoustic guitar
Bristol-based Lindo Guitars make a move upmarket with this highly attractive electro-acoustic that’s made to fit the sub-£500 price bracket
indo, previously known for its entry-level offerings, has come up with this the LDG-56CEQ as a step-up into the midrange market. On first sight it’s a beauty – an auditorium-style guitar with a cut-away body, it sports a bright, blonde natural finish, with a pleasantly contrasting dark wood bridge and an evenly toned finger board. There are elaborate abalone inlays and binding that adorn the edge of the body, soundhole, fingerboard and headstock.
It features a solid spruce top which at this price could have been a better quality wood, the closer graining paying dividends on sound. The back and sides are flamed maple and the neck is maple with a medium C profile. The tuners are of Grover-type design, with gold plated bodies and ABS pegs. The fret work is pleasing, nice and evenly finished.
This is as already stated an electro-acoustic, and has been fitted with a Fishman Presys system which incorporates volume, bass, middle, treble, phase switch and tuner as well as a battery indicator and a very useful output featuring both a jack socket and an XLR balanced ‘out’. These features are very useful for both recording and live playing – especially the XLR, as this negates the need for a DI box. The phase switch is useful if using a conventional microphone as well. The only slight niggle is that we found the lid of the battery compartment vibrated when playing certain low notes.
FEELS SOLID, SOUNDS GOOD AND LOOKS GREAT
Taking it out of the case, it’s immediately reassuring that this guitar is lively and bright. Strumming through simple chords it can be played without too much effort on the part of the fretting hand and shows a good dynamic response whether played with a pick or fingers. It has good volume, individual notes push out easily and will cut through nicely if playing a melody line with another player. The intonation seems fine too, and chords played at the neck hold together sweetly. However, further up the neck the inlays become slightly distracting as they are rather dense around the 11th, 12th and 13th frets.
Generally it’s a pretty good play, though personally I’d prefer a slightly lower action. The sound is bright, though it has that brand-new guitar sound which can be a little hard in the mid-range and highs, and light in the lows. I’d love to re-visit this guitar in a few years to see how it mellows, hopefully bringing warmer lows and sweet highs. The balance between string volume is good as is the quality and volume of harmonics. It also responded nicely to open turnings, in particular DADGAD, which was made easy using the onboard tuner. For chord work and single notes it has good sustain which lets chords ring out and sound sweet.
Plugging into a PA it has a great sound making it good for those who want to take it out gigging – it’s always reassuring to know the sound getting to the desk is good even if you can’t hear yourself too well. The Fishman pre-amps controls are quite subtle but add enough to get your sound to cut through without sounding harsh.
In summary, this a nicely playing, bright-sounding guitar with some nice features. Its small size makes for comfortable playing whether sitting or standing. A couple of downsides include a few gaps and blemishes in the binding, and a supplied case that’s a bit too big – although getting a hard case included free is a bonus. Its other major challenge is the price: it’s in a bracket inhabited by some pretty big name players that have been the benchmark for a long time.
Verdict: A very usable instrument that feels solid, sounds good and looks great, albeit one that’s up against some very strong competition
Justin Seeger
Specifications
- Power: 9v battery
- Controls: 3 band EQ vol phase switch
- Neck: Maple C profile
- Fingerboard: Rosewood. 22 frets
- Scale length: 25.5″
- Pickup: Piezo
- Pre-amp: Fishman
- Tuning pegs: 3 a side gold + ABS pegs
- Hard case supplied
- D’Addario strings
Price
£449.49
Website
www.lindoguitars.com
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