I picked up this same model in the same matte black finish about 2 months ago. I absolutely whole heartedly agree with everything you said, minus the E pickup issue. Mine is fine so its likely what you said. But dude, you're spot on. The fit and finish at this price point is insane. It's absolutely beautiful, although it smudges like crazy, but I can overlook that. True, the tuners are wonderful, but they're not that bad. Immediately stripped the set that was installed for the Vangoa strings ut came with and it made a huge difference. On that note, I've no ckue what strings they're using, but they actually sound pretty dang good. Eventually did have to change them. But on mine, one thing that amazed me is how well it stays in tune. Its crazy to think i rarely need to tweak the low E and and G. Idk how but ut maintains tune. Crazy. The sound is absolutely phenomenal. During my weekly travel through Guitar Center I've played $800 Taylors that really don't sound better, and even a few lower end Martins that can't surpass this guy. Is it a $4000 Martin or Takamine? No, but I'll stack it up against $250 Fenders, Epi, and Yahamas all day. I could say that for my price of $160 is still a steal, but I'd venture to say you'd be hard pressed to find a $200 range acoustic that sounds and plays this well. And talk about playing... The action out of if the box was very well set up. I too lowered it a bit just above the fret buzz. The tiny frets... I love them! Yeah theres still some minor buzz here and there but nothing a bit more adjusting won't fix. Seriously, you totally will not go wrong grabbing this guy. I've had so much fun playing it and with a set of Martin Retro lights on it, it really really shines. Super Happy I pulled the trigger on this guy. Super impressed with Vangoa. I'm looking into their version of a Tele based electric. After being this impressed, I have no issue buying Vangoa and worrying about anything. Idk how tjey do it, don't care. They produced one hell of an entey level guitar that is beyond entey level. Love it!!
potresti dire come hai impostato il trusroad, vorrei sistemarlo anche io, sono un ignorante, non so come usare la chiave se girare a destra o sinistra...
I've been trying to choose a guitar to begin learning to play. After 6 months of "due diligence," I chose the Firefly... now, after THIS, I'm back to square one. Thanks a lot!
Great review! I love when a budget guitar plays and sounds great. My first acoustic was a $130 Jasmine from when Takamine owned them. I will forever miss that thing.
I would agree with Dan's review. The drummer in my band is learning guitar and bought Vangoa's Left handed 12-string version and aside from some fret sprout, it sounds and plays pretty good.
All piezo sound pickups have a lack of lows and very bright highs. In the old days I checked it with an oscilloscope and if I remember correctly low frequencies were about 10 times less than highs. And second thing - it's related to the mount side in which pickup is mounted inside. Sometimes people glue pickup wrong - upside down. :) P.S. Good guitar! Good review!
I bought this for my husband after agonizing on other black electric acoustics that were way more expensive. It's beautiful. And low risk investment wise in case he doesn't end up playing a lot (he is just starting) bc its such a good deal!
My first guitar I bought in 1975 for $100 used. I think it was a Harmony, no case, and strung with barbed wire about 1 inch off the neck. I would play one string at a time and got my Smoke on the Water on in no time. At sixty, I still play for a living and still not above getting my smoke on! Great review, thanks!
Try adding a little modeling clay under the bridge to increase the low E string to boost the output. Easy to try and easily reversible if it doesn't work or raises the action too much.
First time I watch a video of yours. Just wanted to say that you have the most stereotypical american channel name ever haha love it! (greetings from a random half german, half spanish)
Thanks Dan for sharing👍. The only thing I didn’t like was the slight buzz I’m hearing but like you said it’s just the way you have the action set up. Thanks again. 👍😀😀👍
I don't not need a cheap but great acoustic, and they look really great, too. I love the color and the wedge on the back of the fretboard. boo it's $160 now lol. The lefty is still like $135, I'ma send your link to a lefty friend of mine :D Thanks for sharing!
@@GunsandGuitars you're not alone. I saw a guy make a video recently about a mic from Sweetwater that was $150 off, and I saw the price ONCE. Literally 5 minutes later it was back to its normal price XD
I seriously think you just sold me on this. I'm actually impressed. Thank you so much for the review of the action... That's the number one killer for me on cheap guitars. Was it the (action) good enough from the factory? Did you just prefer it lower or needed it lowered.
It was a tad high out of the box, but a half turn of the truss rod (using the included Allen wrench) fixed it perfect for me. The big issues that usually are off on cheap guitars are the nut and bridge not being the proper height, and the frets not being level. All those were fine on this guitar.
@@GunsandGuitars I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I actually threw it in my Amazon cart last night to see if i got a response or could do more looking into it. Maybe when I get it I'll pop back on here and let you know what I think. I know it's not an expensive guitar, but I want to at least snag a decent one and I actually like the sound of this better than the Keith Urban guitar (which is an awesome deal too). I actually just liked the sound of this one better personally because it seems to sound warmer.
Been considering one of their acoustic bass guitars, I think they are the same as a couple of other "budget" ones I see, seems like they are 30" scale. Any chance of a deep review on those, or a similar acoustic bass?
You're the first person I've ever read that said this name (Samick) of guitar. My brother handed me one down and it's been a really good guitar for years. I read online, and I'm not sure how long ago it was, but that they were the world's leading manufacturer in quantities of guitars made. Apparently they made guitars with other names on them as well. I'm actually working on repairing the heel of mine currently.
great guitar just wish you'd replaced the strings with some goo quality new strings as they sound dead and bad i bought a 3 ave MX guitar off amazon at a very kow price of £47,37GBP and i have to say best £47.37 i ever spent but the strings that come with need to go stright ing the recycling played mine for a few minutes with the oringinal strings an the guitar soundrf good but lifless i imeatatley rplaceed them anf the difference in sound is stupidly amazing
I picked up this same model in the same matte black finish about 2 months ago. I absolutely whole heartedly agree with everything you said, minus the E pickup issue. Mine is fine so its likely what you said.
But dude, you're spot on. The fit and finish at this price point is insane. It's absolutely beautiful, although it smudges like crazy, but I can overlook that. True, the tuners are wonderful, but they're not that bad. Immediately stripped the set that was installed for the Vangoa strings ut came with and it made a huge difference. On that note, I've no ckue what strings they're using, but they actually sound pretty dang good. Eventually did have to change them. But on mine, one thing that amazed me is how well it stays in tune. Its crazy to think i rarely need to tweak the low E and and G. Idk how but ut maintains tune. Crazy.
The sound is absolutely phenomenal. During my weekly travel through Guitar Center I've played $800 Taylors that really don't sound better, and even a few lower end Martins that can't surpass this guy.
Is it a $4000 Martin or Takamine? No, but I'll stack it up against $250 Fenders, Epi, and Yahamas all day.
I could say that for my price of $160 is still a steal, but I'd venture to say you'd be hard pressed to find a $200 range acoustic that sounds and plays this well. And talk about playing... The action out of if the box was very well set up. I too lowered it a bit just above the fret buzz. The tiny frets... I love them! Yeah theres still some minor buzz here and there but nothing a bit more adjusting won't fix.
Seriously, you totally will not go wrong grabbing this guy. I've had so much fun playing it and with a set of Martin Retro lights on it, it really really shines. Super Happy I pulled the trigger on this guy. Super impressed with Vangoa. I'm looking into their version of a Tele based electric. After being this impressed, I have no issue buying Vangoa and worrying about anything. Idk how tjey do it, don't care. They produced one hell of an entey level guitar that is beyond entey level. Love it!!
potresti dire come hai impostato il trusroad, vorrei sistemarlo anche io, sono un ignorante, non so come usare la chiave se girare a destra o sinistra...
I totally agree! This is an awesome guitar! I wasn’t expecting much from a $150 guitar. But man was I blown away!
I've been trying to choose a guitar to begin learning to play. After 6 months of "due diligence," I chose the Firefly... now, after THIS, I'm back to square one. Thanks a lot!
Man, it is pretty obvious this guitar in the video is an ugly guitar. Who in their right would consider getting it?
@@StopFearme? i got it and it’s a beautiful model for an extremely cheap price. and yes fyi, i’m in my right mind 😁
@@miss_mercedes Ok. I accept that some people like things I do not.
Great review! I love when a budget guitar plays and sounds great. My first acoustic was a $130 Jasmine from when Takamine owned them. I will forever miss that thing.
I would agree with Dan's review. The drummer in my band is learning guitar and bought Vangoa's Left handed 12-string version and aside from some fret sprout, it sounds and plays pretty good.
I just got a Nova Go acoustic. 1/2 scale carbon fiber reinforced nylon 0 frett. Looks kinda like a LP. Freaking Love it!
All piezo sound pickups have a lack of lows and very bright highs. In the old days I checked it with an oscilloscope and if I remember correctly low frequencies were about 10 times less than highs. And second thing - it's related to the mount side in which pickup is mounted inside. Sometimes people glue pickup wrong - upside down. :) P.S. Good guitar! Good review!
I bought this for my husband after agonizing on other black electric acoustics that were way more expensive. It's beautiful. And low risk investment wise in case he doesn't end up playing a lot (he is just starting) bc its such a good deal!
My first guitar I bought in 1975 for $100 used. I think it was a Harmony, no case, and strung with barbed wire about 1 inch off the neck.
I would play one string at a time and got my Smoke on the Water on in no time.
At sixty, I still play for a living and still not above getting my smoke on!
Great review, thanks!
Sounds like we had the same experience haha
Try adding a little modeling clay under the bridge to increase the low E string to boost the output. Easy to try and easily reversible if it doesn't work or raises the action too much.
I have this guitar but a left handed version of it luckily i have a friend who helped me switch the strings furthermore I love it
First time I watch a video of yours. Just wanted to say that you have the most stereotypical american channel name ever haha love it! (greetings from a random half german, half spanish)
Thanks Dan for sharing👍. The only thing I didn’t like was the slight buzz I’m hearing but like you said it’s just the way you have the action set up. Thanks again. 👍😀😀👍
Super honest. That’s why I watch all your reviews.
Hey there..... can you please take a close look at each bridge pin to see if they are sitting straight or on an angle...? Thanks !
This suspiciously sounds like a paid promotion as opposed to an unbiased review.
Thanks for the upload...keep bangin' & RAWK!!! 🤘🏼
I don't not need a cheap but great acoustic, and they look really great, too. I love the color and the wedge on the back of the fretboard. boo it's $160 now lol. The lefty is still like $135, I'ma send your link to a lefty friend of mine :D Thanks for sharing!
Yeah it’s a bummer. Yesterday when I filmed this the price was $135. Today it’s $159 🤦♂️
@@GunsandGuitars you're not alone. I saw a guy make a video recently about a mic from Sweetwater that was $150 off, and I saw the price ONCE. Literally 5 minutes later it was back to its normal price XD
Please do an update if you are able to make any improvement on restringing.
Lol it's $150 now.
God damm that intro was sick
I'm trying to decide between Vangoa and the Donner Acoustic Electric
Great job !! Keep going 😄
I want one and that's the finish I like, gloss black also looks great, good review thanks 👍.
I don't care much for acoustics but I care for my friends so you get a like
Haha thanks asaf!
I seriously think you just sold me on this. I'm actually impressed. Thank you so much for the review of the action... That's the number one killer for me on cheap guitars. Was it the (action) good enough from the factory? Did you just prefer it lower or needed it lowered.
It was a tad high out of the box, but a half turn of the truss rod (using the included Allen wrench) fixed it perfect for me. The big issues that usually are off on cheap guitars are the nut and bridge not being the proper height, and the frets not being level. All those were fine on this guitar.
@@GunsandGuitars I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I actually threw it in my Amazon cart last night to see if i got a response or could do more looking into it. Maybe when I get it I'll pop back on here and let you know what I think.
I know it's not an expensive guitar, but I want to at least snag a decent one and I actually like the sound of this better than the Keith Urban guitar (which is an awesome deal too). I actually just liked the sound of this one better personally because it seems to sound warmer.
I have a röweller guitar
Dreadnougth body , sitka spruce , mahogany and for the string currently i used elixir 0.12 0.53 which is perfect for is
Wonder if the Driftwood guys will put this one through their wringer.
For $135 with all that, holding tune is literally all I can ask for.
Hi! is this guitar superior or inferior to Vangoa VDS-13? is there not much info at te oficial webpage...
Been considering one of their acoustic bass guitars, I think they are the same as a couple of other "budget" ones I see, seems like they are 30" scale. Any chance of a deep review on those, or a similar acoustic bass?
I’m thinking of purchasing this guitar. My only concern is with the finished being sprayed on Soufan. Is it going to wear off with normal use?
Do you have amazon link for this exact guitar? Can't find it in amazon 😅
Here I am spending more than that just for the wood to build an acoustic. Madness.
Samick Guitar Works make the best cheap acoustics by far...
Which one do you recommend?
@@ws90ninety [SGW] S-350C is the cheapest I think, all the SGW models are great...
You're the first person I've ever read that said this name (Samick) of guitar. My brother handed me one down and it's been a really good guitar for years.
I read online, and I'm not sure how long ago it was, but that they were the world's leading manufacturer in quantities of guitars made. Apparently they made guitars with other names on them as well. I'm actually working on repairing the heel of mine currently.
Love it. Thanks man 😎👍👌💯🎸🎸
Available in India or Nepal?
Pricing update from Amazon: $145, left or right hand,as of 3/11/24.
How do you like the guitar now? Since you had it awhile. Thanks for any info
Still love it! I play it daily. Still haven’t torn it down to see what’s going on with the piezo yet.
@@GunsandGuitars Cool thanks for the info
Yeah it sounds good through the mic but the low e is definitely not right. But overall sounds like a deal
I play fingerstyle so its kinda worth it but the price is 153.89 only
What gauge strings are one it. They look a little light. That could be the cause of low base response.
Sadly i cant get it cos it cant be shipped to my location
Amazes me they can sell it for the price
can I change the strings to nylon on this guitar?
You said it had a spruce top, but is it a solid wood top or plywood? Thanks! :)
Solid I believe
@@GunsandGuitars Wow! At that price? Unheard of!
great guitar just wish you'd replaced the strings with some goo quality new strings as they sound dead and bad i bought a 3 ave MX guitar off amazon at a very kow price of £47,37GBP and i have to say best £47.37 i ever spent but the strings that come with need to go stright ing the recycling played mine for a few minutes with the oringinal strings an the guitar soundrf good but lifless i imeatatley rplaceed them anf the difference in sound is stupidly amazing
You should build an acoustic guitar
Yes.
I clicked the link, and it came up and a donner
That’s odd. I just checked and it comes up correct for me. I wonder if it’s different because you’re in a different country?
@@GunsandGuitars even more so as I’m in Spain right now
I would rub it with about five or six light coats of bee's wax
How can I get this guitar??
Link in the description
the price is already up to 159.95!
Holy crap you’re right! Literally yesterday (when I filmed this) I checked and it was $135.99 🤦♂️
And it was just unavailable on Amazon UK, sadly.
@@GunsandGuitars the left handed model is still 135.95!
Price of the link in description is 159.95...BUT you need to shop around. I've found another offer for 139.95 + $30 off coupon.
What gauge strings come on it?
They are light.
At that price point, i could probably make decent guitar youtube video 😁❤️
150??? Dang!
oil magnet
2024
34000+ in India
That is 400+ dollar
😑😑
100% Buton Rouge guitars are better in that price range
😀 nice
So there's no room for Fret wear, so I'll pass
That is a “stylish” guitar? Come on. You’re not fooling anybody. It looks like something that fraud Esteban would make under his name.