Generally, when someone mentions a test bench, you expect to get a more or less accurate idea of what you'll be working with. Less often you come across something that truly surprises you, but in this case that's what happened. This instrument can be evaluated from a purely acoustic standpoint, with no cables or other extras, and, separately, in terms of what it offers as an amplified and MIDI instrument.
Construction Analysis
On the first point, I have to say that what initially caught my attention about this instrument is how roomy and comfortable it is to play. Its fit to the anatomy of both hands is extraordinary. For one thing, the surface of the top is a few millimeters smaller than on other Spanish guitars I usually play. The cutaway is fantastic, and the feeling of playing with hardly any effort is there from the first moment, especially in the right hand. The neck is a standard thickness, and as for string height, I think it could be lowered a little without fear of fret buzz. The slight tension in the strings would be eased, although some guitarists do prefer to play with high string tension.
The finish is remarkable. The truth is that the guitar is a real beauty: no great luxuries, but at the same time very elegant.
The Acoustic Sound
The acoustic sound, that is, unamplified, is good. There is an acceptable balance between highs and lows, and the volume is good too, considering the types of wood. The sound is warm and pleasant, and it responds optimally to changes in picking attack and to nuances in playing.
This model is aimed at classical guitar playing and, in that field, it undoubtedly has the right sound.
The Amplified Instrument
Personally, I believe this instrument gives its best when amplified. This is where the guitar earns an outstanding grade. One of the main factors behind this extraordinary sound is the choice of amplification system, the Poly-Drive IV preamp from RMC.
This system is used in a large number of brands and models, with extraordinary results in many of them, such as Godin, Surh, Klein and others. I studied its sound through a Line 6 amplifier and in the recording studio through an Apogee analog-to-digital converter. I can say it is one of the best “electrified” sounds I've ever heard from guitars that use piezo-electric systems.
Here again we have to examine the sound, and again I find a very well-balanced timbre with warm, beautiful nuances. The preamp has a fairly effective EQ system. Whether we want to give the sound a bit more body or tame the midrange a little, we can do it through the equalizer without any problem, in an extraordinarily simple way, getting, to my taste, the best result.
MIDI Conversion System
On the other hand, there's the response of the MIDI conversion system. To a certain extent, here again the credit goes to the RMC system. The controls are located on the upper bout, in an accessible spot.
Playing with this system is very good, possibly the best MIDI system I've ever played. Whether playing with fingers or a pick, the response is extraordinary. It handles hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides, double stops and chords very well. The latency is practically imperceptible. It may be noticeable with sounds that have a longer attack curve but, in general, the playing feel was surprising. Through the Poly-Drive IV controller, we can browse the presets that interest us, accessing the synthesizer's different programs. There is also a volume control for the guitar level and the synth level. Depending on the sensitivity setting, we get a better response, but even with this control at its minimum sensitivity, the result is exceptional.
Specifications
The scale length is 650 mm, which I personally find the ideal measurement and one of the most comfortable for most guitarists.
The neck is cedar and the fretboard is ebony.
The neck width at the nut is 51.5 mm and at the 12th fret it is 61.5 mm.
The top is cedar/pine; the sides and back are rosewood. The body width at the 12th fret is 95 mm and at the tail block it is 100 mm. The binding is rosewood with white, and the bridge is also rosewood. The tuning machines are high-end, in gold color.
Conclusions
In conclusion, we can say this guitar is ideal for guitarists of the most varied styles who want an excellent result when amplifying their instrument and who intend to use all the possibilities of MIDI, whether live, recording with synthesizers, or working with sequencers and MIDI programming.
