Acoustic Magazine May 2016 Back Issue

Over the last few issues in particular, Acoustic has reviewed a batch of Asian-made, mid-range guitars, all of which emerged with flying colours. I’m often asked why we seem to only run ‘good’ reviews. Primarily, there are two reasons for this.
For one, modern production techniques are better than ever and the use of CNC machinery has resulted in a high level of consistency. Simply put, guitars being produced in Asia, in fact pretty much anywhere around the world, are of such a high standard of construction these days that we rarely, if ever, are in receipt of review guitars that could justifiably receive a bad review.
Secondly, we believe that publishing a review of a guitar is in itself an endorsement. In the rare and unlikely scenario we receive a review guitar which had problems or issues, we’d simply send it back explaining to the supplier why we have chosen not to feature the guitar within our pages. It’s worth nothing that, in my time as an editor, this has only happened once and the issues were down to mistreatment by Mr Courier.
We hope that the above explanation will give you, our valued readers, confidence in the products we put before you. Truth is, it’s never been better for a consumer of acoustic guitars. The guitar sector as a whole is extremely competitive, and this also helps to keep standards high and prices down. So if you’re in the market for a new guitar, whether your budget is major or minor, the guitars we’ve reviewed for you are as good a starting point as any!
Finally, we are hard at work putting together the forthcoming London Acoustic Show. Put the dates in your diary: 10-11 September at Olympia London. Some fantastic acts have already been secured, to be announced in the next issue. Exhibitors are picking their plots and there will be a fantastic array of products to peruse, play with and pick. Tickets will be on sale soon, so keep an eye on www.londonacousticshow.com.
Steve Harvey, Editor