Text: Román Vega

Through various test benches, we've gotten to know (for quite some time now) this innovative, hard-rocking guitar brand. However, the Fernandes acoustic family had not yet passed through our lab. Today we review, with great anticipation, the D-18C EQ, the first Fernandes acoustic to land in our hands.

Unboxing
As I hinted in the opening lines, I opened this package with great interest. It came along with other products from the distributor. Among other little gems, several Hiwatt tube amps and a Fernandes electric that will blow your hair back (it looks really powerful). We'll take a closer look at it in upcoming issues.

At first glance, the black lacquer caught my attention, contrasting with the natural-finish bridge. Both in its cut and its color, this acoustic looks modern, edgy and fresh, and it's very much in line with the company's aesthetic direction. As I looked at it, I thought about how important my band's look and image would have been to me (a long time ago). It may seem like a minor point, but if you can choose between several instruments, why not consider one that matches our style aesthetically?

Construction and acoustic sound
The design and cut of the body is, as Fernandes generally designs, distinctive and its own. Especially if you look at the guitar in profile. The instrument is well finished and its body is basically characterized by its solid spruce top and mahogany sides and back. A cutaway version that makes it easier to reach the highest notes on its rosewood fingerboard, which sits on a mahogany neck.

The overall vibe of this guitar's sound is rather sharp. It gives off rather thin and even shrill flavors in the highs. This characteristic doesn't strip the instrument of a certain body and consistency. Given its look and brand, I didn't expect anything else. A guitar that would fit best in pop-rock styles and acoustic sets of more powerful styles. When the D-18C EQ is miked, it gives us the typical acoustic guitar sounds of bright strumming that isn't too "thick."

The preamp and the line sound
The inclusion of the preamp is welcome, so useful at times for the studio and live. Thanks to its four-band equalizer and phase switch, we have a rich tonal range. We can modify or correct the sound, bringing it in line with each of our intentions. You get more versatility with the guitar plugged in via line. Although, as you'd expect, the miked sound can also be modified afterward, that is, once recorded. For playing comfortably, the preamp gives us flexibility.

Personally, I'm used to acoustic guitars with a somewhat "fatter" sound, which I prefer for solos and certain kinds of fusion music. However, the character of this Fernandes was pleasing to me in crystalline strumming as a rhythmic foundation. Using the preamp we can fatten up this sound (raising the bass or bass/mids and switching phase). All in all, the instrument offers quite reasonable versatility.

Conclusions
What I liked most was its "look" and its results with delicate strumming as the foundation of various songs in which I used it as a rhythmic backdrop. It's an acoustic that will let you cover a wide variety of styles, and its price makes it a serious option compared with other brands of similar quality. Acoustic guitars, to my taste, are very "delicate." It's hard to find the one you fall in love with. On this Fernandes I would improve the balance between its strings, since sometimes one of them "complains," and I'd try to find a slightly smoother feel (it's not bad anyway). In any case, at this price, considering its sound and construction materials, I invite you to try it at your usual store if you're thinking of spending between €350 and €700 on an acoustic.

03/05/2007