Guitar of the week #55 - Epiphone DR-100

Best acoustic guitar value? It just might be.

I've mentioned the Epiphone DR-100 before just because of how low the price is for one. It's actually cheaper than a Squier Bullet Strat, and I'm not kidding. And shockingly, it's a decent, well-made acoustic.

The DR-100 is an all-acoustic guitar, meaning it's not electrified whatsoever. There's no preamp, no battery and nothing to plug in. If you want to electrify it, buy a Seymour Duncan Woody pickup, although if you intend to record at home, you're better off using a traditional microphone (it will sound better, trust me.)

I can say with all honesty that just about anyone would be happy with a DR-100. It's made well, it's cheap, and it's easy-to-play.

All you need to know about the DR-100 is that it's a mahogany body with spruce top; this means it will project nicely, ring notes and chords true and provide years of enjoyment.

Lastly, I will say this is a "chorder" acoustic. With the traditional dreadnought shape, you're not supposed to play anywhere near the 12th fret or above due to the fact there is no cutaway. This is fine because pretty much any note after the 9th fret on a full-size dreadnought doesn't ring out very well, so it's really not a big deal.

In other words, when playing a full-size dreadnought, "think acoustically." Don't do ridiculous soloing nonsense that you would on the electric, and you'll be in a good shape.

Published 2016 Apr 27