Ava Torrefied Spruce

Very nice guitar especially for the money. Nice tone incredible sustain. Well setup and frets have smooth edges. Satin finish is very nice. Reminds me of a Taylor, but for a 3rd of the price, and if you don't like it or change your mind on the model, which I am actually going to do, it is a mere pittance of $15 restocking fee. Orangewood has got it goin in on.

I love the look and feel of the guitar, it has a really good tone, but after playing it for a week
I asked the Orangewood team why it squeaks so much. Is it the strings, if so I’ll change them.

Background: I have been playing for about 30 years and have around 30 guitars currently and have owned many more. I have USA Fenders, Gibsons, PRS, G&L and Gretsch. Mostly an electric player. I play a 25 year old Martin D-15 acoustic and wanted something a bit brighter. I started with a Taylor 214ce. It was bright but just didn't have enough mid range. I looked at a 414ce at Guitar Center which I liked, but they only had a burst finish which I did not like. So I ordered my $2600 414ce from Musician's Friend. It shipped from a Guitar Center in Wisconsin. They packed it amazingly but according to the serial number it was a 3 year old model. It also came with a substantially warped neck. I promptly returned it. I have heard good things about Orangewood guitars and assumed they were good cheapie guitars. I also saw they had all solid guitars that were a little better with amazing reviews. Since there is no shipping or return shipping costs I figured what the heck, I will give it a go. I got the guitar in Michigan 4 days later. I was super shocked! It was really nice! I would prefer a gloss finish to a satin but the fit and finish is pretty much perfect! The guitar was completely in tune out of the box. I am really, really shhoed at how good it plays and sounds! It plays as good or better than a $3000 Taylor! The sound is not quite a bright as the 414ce but it is more balanced. Very even sound throughout the whole guitar. Intonation is spot on and the sound overall is excellent. Is it as good as the 414ce? No. It is maybe 95% of the way there for me. More balanced though. At the end of the day it is also $2000 less when you figure in the tax. I don't miss the Taylors at all and would easily rather have 4 more Orangewoods for the price of one Taylor. :)

The Ava Torrefied Spruce totally surpassed my expectations. I find it has better tone articulation, clarity, and mic presence than many of the Taylors and Martins I have played in the past. I really like the tonal balance, which makes it easy to mic and record, even in a room with poor acoustics. Plus, the Orangewood customer care team has been excellent!. I would recommend Orangewood guitars to all levels of players!

It resonates well. Came nicely setup. I will recommend this guitar.