This solid-mahogany mid-size guitar presents a bunch of options worthy of an excellent look. Whereas Revival set its sights on getting the RG-26M into the fingers of people that aren’t comfy on dreadnoughts, it’s greater than that. It’s a good-looking, comfy guitar that delivers a really good sound for an irresistible value. 

Revival is a San Francisco Bay Space–based mostly guitar firm with a nationwide community of sellers for its steel-string acoustics. (In 2018, the corporate joined up with Lark within the Morning, a brick-and-mortar store and on-line retailer specializing in world devices.) Like all Revival guitars, the RG-26M was constructed at a store in China that the corporate has labored with since its beginnings in 2006, and arrange by a luthier within the U.S. If the all-solid-wood RG-26M I examined is any indication, Revival is delivering a formidable bang for the buck with its sensible, reasonably priced guitars. 

Compact and Snug

The RG-26M measures 14-3/4 inches throughout the decrease bout, placing its physique between the usual 00 and 000. It’s additionally barely thinner than these stalwart sizes, measuring 4 inches deep on the endpin and 3-11/16 on the neck block. This was one other intentional step by Revival to make a guitar that’s a bit extra accessible for individuals who have problem reaching round the usual dreadnought. Name it a “00 constructive” or “000 unfavourable” if it helps you visualize the dimensions. Nonetheless, after hours of taking part in the RG-26M, I’ll simply name it comfy.

The neck’s medium-thin, C-shaped profile will really feel nice to simply about anybody, from skilled acoustic gamers to freshmen and up to date converts from the electrical guitar. Up to now few years, I’ve gravitated towards massive necks as a result of they really feel comfy in my fingers, however this form’s speedy really feel and svelte proportions have me reconsidering my fixation.

With a satin matte end giving the mahogany a heat presence, and contrasting bling from the abalone, the Revival exudes an understated however fancy vibe. The black walnut fretboard is a wonderful various to rosewood that appears good and options properly seated and topped frets, making the Revival simple to play and buzz-free. A number of beautiful touches additionally assist give the instrument an upscale look. Abalone is seen extensively all through, together with the fretboard place markers, soundhole rosette, and headstock emblem. The physique and neck are certain in maple, giving the instrument a lovely, pure look.

Heat and Woody Tone

All-mahogany guitars have a status for dry, woody tone and heat, and the Revival delivered these engaging traits in spades the extra I performed it. Like many evaluation devices, it sounded new when it arrived. Nonetheless, just some hours of taking part in time revealed richer tones and a extra dynamic response. Like different guitars on this value vary, the RG has reasonably good projection. It delivers an excellent quantity of quantity—sufficient to carry its personal at a jam with guitars costing fairly a bit extra. However even from the beginning, the Revival’s thick tone drew me in for fingerpicking, and that’s how I spent most of my time with the guitar. 

The identical fundamental-heavy midrange tones that works nicely for fingerpicking are obvious when strumming, too. Digging in tougher offers the tone extra compression and leads to better focus within the punchy midrange frequencies. The RG-26M comes outfitted with gentle strings, and I think {that a} heavier set would assist give this guitar somewhat extra horsepower, together with an much more satisfying tone—one thing to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating buying one. However even with the sunshine strings, the Revival exceeded my expectations in nearly each method that issues for an acoustic guitar. It’s dynamic and enjoyable to play.

The Backside Line

For gamers on the lookout for a small-bodied mahogany guitar at a really reasonably priced value, the Revival RG-26M delivers loads for below $500. It’s a brilliant comfy guitar that’s arrange properly and straightforward to play, and it makes a pleasantly heat and resonant sound for fingerpickers and flatpickers alike. Whereas Revival may not be a model you’re aware of, the RG-26M is nicely price testing if you happen to’re trying to find a terrific instrument on a funds. It’s the sort of guitar you’re more likely to end up reaching for repeatedly.

Specs

BODY Strong mahogany prime, again,and sides; forward-pattern X-bracing; maple binding; abalone rosette; ebonized black walnut bridge; compensated bone saddle with 2-5/16″ spacing; plastic tortoiseshell sample pickguard; satin end

NECK 25-5/8″-scale mahogany neck with 14 frets to the physique; dovetail neck joint; dual-action truss rod; black walnut fingerboard with 20 medium dimension frets; 1-11/16″ bone nut; maple heel cap; offset abalone fingerboard place markers and abalone headstock emblem; chrome Grover tuners; satin end

OTHER D’Addario EJ11 80/20 Bronze strings (.012–.053)

MADE IN China

PRICE $479 (direct)

revivalacoustics.com