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| Value: | |
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Pros:
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Great looks
Cons:
- Does not stay in tune that well
- Not the highest quality material
I’ve been there, you are a 20-something-year-old college kid trying to do something in life as you slowly come close to the realization that the college loan is not going to pay itself off. Or maybe you are a 13-year-old or a 60-year-old, I am just guessing here, friend. In any case, the point is that no one has money to buy a $1000 guitar if they have never even held a damn guitar in their life. That is why there are hundreds of options of “affordable” models that come under $200 and you can have your pick. Hola! Music HG-39GLS is one of those models, so let’s try to find out whether it is worth saving up some money and get an “affordable” model.
Build
Okay, I will say that this model has top-notch quality material and construction. That is just not true. BUT that being said, for a beginner who as never held a guitar, this might be the first step in your journey to mastering guitar. The HG-39GLS is a full-size (39 inches) model. This is already a good thing you are looking for a “regular” experience. A lot of people will go for smaller models when they are starting off because they think that it is easier to master, but the truth is, unless you are 10 or have extremely small hands, you should go for a regular-sized guitar. The top of this mode is made of spruce and the back, sides, as well as the neck, are mahogany with rosewood fingerboard. Although this is a full-sized model, it is quite lightweight which will be a great advantage for any beginner.
Hardware
The HG-39GLS has a rosewood bridge with Tusq nut and saddle. Tusq is not the best of the best materials for the nut and a lot of people do not even consider buying a guitar if it does not have bone nut and saddle. I do not necessarily agree that bone is the only material that will provide the sound that you want but there are definitely some materials that are not the best. Tusq is an okay material for nut and if you are a beginner you will probably not notice a big difference in sound since your ear is not as trained.
The HG-39GLS is also equipped with a two-way truss rod and ships with Hex Key so that you can easily adjust the string action on your guitar. Manufacturers know that if you are a beginner you probably (no, actually, you DEFINITELY) need a gig bag or a case. That is why Hola! Music ships this model with a padded gig bag. Although this bag is not the most sturdy thing in the world and probably not keep your guitar safe if you smash it against a wall it does a decent job of protecting it in “regular” situations.
Hola HG-39GLS Sound
The combination of decent tonewood and construction results in a nice, rich tone. Although it is probably not comparable with high-end models that sell for $1000 and up this is a nice start for any student (and let’s be honest, as a student I would always make the best sounding guitars sound like cats scratching against a wooden door). The strings that Hola! Music ships this model with are actually decent and you won’t need to change them right away. The Soft Nylon Strings let the guitar “sing” while also making it easy on your fingers. Overall, the sound of this model is quite rich and warm with nice volume.
Conclusion
Hola! Music HG-39GLS is a great first step into the world of guitars. It is lightweight, okay quality build and decent sound (and I am not even mentioning the price because it is too goddamn obvious). If you want to learn some classical or jazz compositions this model will fit you perfectly. That being said you can, of course, try other styles. That being said, this model is not the greatest one of them all. If you are an intermediate student or someone looking for a “long-haul” guitar that will last them years and years, I would suggest looking further into some other options.
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