Luna Guitars debuted in 2005, providing a line of inexpensive guitars designed with the consolation of feminine gamers in thoughts. The devices had a daring and immediately recognizable aesthetic, sporting henna designs and motifs impressed by legendary symbols comparable to dragons and phoenixes. (Many Luna guitar fashions are distinguished by the applying of those patterns by way of laser etching.) 

Primarily based out of Tampa, Florida, Luna now affords a full line of well-made devices—acoustic guitars, acoustic and electrical basses, ukuleles, mandolins, banjos, and even cajons and kalimbas—all with very fashionable designs that belie their comparatively low costs. I had the pleasure of making an attempt out the brand new Winery Koa Bevel People and located it to be a superb acoustic-electric with a powerful tonal palette. 

A Koa Magnificence

The Winery Koa relies on Luna’s People physique, which splits the distinction between a grand auditorium and a parlor. It has a spruce high with a koa overlay; laminated again and sides, additionally koa; and an Japanese mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. Its compact physique is enhanced by a bevel on the highest portion of the decrease bout, which will increase consolation whereas taking part in. 

The grain sample of the koa veneer on the highest plate is beautiful, giving an impact that makes it really feel as if the guitar was taken straight out of a forest, and the beautiful inlays add to the Winery’s putting optics. Pearloid vines wrap symmetrically across the soundhole and weave elegantly up the fretboard—a design that was impressed by Italian vineyards, in line with Luna. This ornamentation offers the instrument an earthy and idyllic visible theme. Collectively, the koa and inlays create a cultured, trendy tackle a conventional steel-string.

A Heat Presence

As quickly as I started taking part in the Winery Koa, I might really feel the guitar’s energy; its sound is surprisingly large and resonant. The physique vibrates in response to your taking part in, and tones emerge from the soundhole as if they’re echoing all through a cavern. It’s heat and vibrant and elicits plentiful overtones.

The Winery Koa has glorious tonal vary, being particularly wealthy within the excessive finish and mids. It responds properly to fingerpicking however, regardless of being a small-bodied guitar, is just not missing in low finish, which is nice when strumming chords or taking part in with a decide. It’s extra than simply well-rounded—it’s brilliant and daring, with plenty of presence, however someway in a delicate means.

On certainly one of my go-to fingerpicking items, “Don’t Suppose Twice, It’s All Proper” (particularly Nick Drake’s model of this nice Bob Dylan tune), the Winery Koa responded properly, with distinct tones and steadiness throughout all ranges. I additionally tried out an association of J.S. Bach’s “Chaconne in D minor” from Partita No. 2 and located that not solely does the guitar resonate fantastically in dropped-D tuning however the piece highlights a few of the guitar’s hotspots, which will be discovered increasingly as you progress in direction of the twelfth fret on any string.

When utilizing a decide on acoustic guitar I prefer to play extra aggressively than some may assume obligatory; the Winery was as much as the duty when digging into some bluegrass riffs, making an attempt out a folk-rock solo on certainly one of my very own songs, and taking part in the traditional riff from Led Zeppelin’s “Over the Hills and Far Away.” 

Snug Setup and Easy Electronics

The Winery Koa got here arrange with comfortably low motion, making it excellent for taking part in barre chords in addition to melodies greater up the neck. With a 25.5-inch scale size, executing broad and compact chord shapes was comfy and acquainted. 

The neck has a slim, C-shaped profile that makes it simple to grip and clean for transferring up and down. Its gloss end towards your palm doesn’t hinder that motion, however merely provides to the guitar’s total aesthetic. The one downside is that, when transferring up the fretboard, the frets really feel a tiny bit bumpy, making it in order that it takes just a little further strain to slip from form to form. 

After making an attempt out such a vibrant instrument, I used to be very happy to find that, because of its Fishman electronics, it sounds simply pretty much as good when plugged in. The constancy is spectacular, and together with the usual quantity, bass, and treble knobs, in addition to a part button, it additionally comes with a useful onboard tuner. I discovered one of the best setting to be having each the bass and treble within the center, however modifying these settings nonetheless yielded constructive outcomes.

All in All

Luna’s Winery Koa Bevel People covers a variety of functions, managing to be each daring and brilliant with glowing overtones. Mix that versatility with its distinct feel and appear, clean playability, and delightful aesthetic and also you’ve bought a great-sounding, inexpensive instrument that may attraction to participant of all stripes.

Specs

BODY People dimension; spruce high with koa veneer; laminated koa again and sides; rosewood bridge; single-ply rosewood binding; pure gloss end

NECK 25.5″-scale Japanese mahogany neck with dual-action truss rod; 20 frets; rosewood fretboard with 16″ radius; pearloid vine inlays; 1-11/16″ bone nut; chrome tuners; pure gloss end

OTHER D’Addario EXP16 coated strings (.012–053); Fishman Presys II electronics; non-obligatory gentle or tooled leather-based hardshell case ($159) or light-weight case ($119) 

MADE IN China

PRICE $699 avenue 

lunaguitars.com

This text initially appeared within the Might/June 2022 situation of Acoustic Guitar journal.