Opinions on Waldens.

[Verence]

I tried a couple at some local guitar shops and found one or two agreeable. What do you guys think of them?

 

There were also some nice Alvarez's. Is that a better brand, or do I just go with whatever feels and sounds best to me?

[T0MCAT]

A store near me has Waldons, a couple sounded really nice, and some were kind of weak, messed up frets and stuff. If you can find a good one they're nice sounding and not too expensive either.

[drnihili]

Go with what feels/sounds best to you.

 

Waldens are generally pretty well regarded on the boards, though there are those who aren't that impressed with them. I'd say they're about on a par with the Godin lineup in that respect. Alvarez is also pretty well regarded. Walden is a relatively new brand and offers a lot of bang for th ebuck as a result.

 

Which models were you looking at?

[MattSkibaIsGOD]

I have 2 and I love them both. I think they are a steal.

[T.B.]

I don't think you could wrong with either brand, it'll come down to your personal taste. I have the Walden G570TB, with cedar top and mahogany B&S, it's such a sweet sounding guitar.

 

Trina

[guit30]

lots of good talk, never tried one

J

[GondoGuitar]

I am fairly new on this forum, but you can tell from some of my posts that I really like Waldens. Have had a few and really prefer the Grand Acoustic size over the dreadnought. If you can get into their high end stuff, which is still very reasonable for all the features, do so. You end up with solid wood top, back and sides and a great hardshell case.

[thetree4U]

I have a Walden D710 (dreadnaught, solid Engelman spruce top, solid rosewood back, lam. rosewood sides) with a K&K Pure Western Mini pickup installed. I am very, very pleased with everything about this guitar. The sound is crisp, with good string separation, nice tonal balance, good bass response, good sustain, full and responsive. It also has good projection and volume. I had the setup tweaked (which I always do) and it plays beautifully. I bought it B-Stock for $175 (a cosmetic blem on the top, no biggy at all) and put the K&K in for $85. I normally play a $4500 Avalon guitar, and I think the Walden competes quite well. No, it is not as good, of course, but it's a really good sound (unplugged and plugged). I would highly recommend it, even at the normal eBay price of $429.

 

My son has a Walden G740CE, which I can say most of the same things about. It has a grand auditorium body shape/size, so it is not as loud, but has great tone, playability, and is a total delight. All the Naturas and Supernaturas are very very nice... the Natura line in the higher numbers are better.

 

I played most of the line (mid-range thru upper end) at the NAMM Show last January. I was duly impressed.

 

It is my understanding that Robert Godin designed the guitars (Godin, Seagull) (per an ex-rep from Walden) and they are built in China. For the money, I think it is the BEST BUY on the market. I have played Alvarez, and while they are pretty good, I don't think they are in the Walden league for the money.

[Verence]

My favorite was a Walden D610CE.

 

I was just walking along, strumming each of the guitars on the wall as I went by, looking for one that sounded decent. When I hit that one I audibly said "whoa-ho-ho-yeah."

 

Doesn't sound like a Martin D-28 like I mentioned wanting in another thread, the tone was softer and lighter, but still had good volume and definition.

 

Where might you find them blem and b-stock?

[MattSkibaIsGOD]

^ Ebay.

[Fantfool]

 

I have a Walden D710 (dreadnaught, solid Engelman spruce top, solid rosewood back, lam. rosewood sides) with a K&K Pure Western Mini pickup installed. I am very, very pleased with everything about this guitar. The sound is crisp, with good string separation, nice tonal balance, good bass response, good sustain, full and responsive. It also has good projection and volume. I had the setup tweaked (which I always do) and it plays beautifully. I bought it B-Stock for $175 (a cosmetic blem on the top, no biggy at all) and put the K&K in for $85. I normally play a $4500 Avalon guitar, and I think the Walden competes quite well. No, it is not as good, of course, but it's a really good sound (unplugged and plugged). I would highly recommend it, even at the normal eBay price of $429. My son has a Walden G740CE, which I can say most of the same things about. It has a grand auditorium body shape/size, so it is not as loud, but has great tone, playability, and is a total delight. All the Naturas and Supernaturas are very very nice... the Natura line in the higher numbers are better. I played most of the line (mid-range thru upper end) at the NAMM Show last January. I was duly impressed. It is my understanding that Robert Godin designed the guitars (Godin, Seagull) (per an ex-rep from Walden) and they are built in China. For the money, I think it is the BEST BUY on the market. I have played Alvarez, and while they are pretty good, I don't think they are in the Walden league for the money.

 

 

 

So you went ahead with the k&k in your Walden? I know I am happy with the sound of mine plugged in, very nice reproduction of the acoustic sound.

[thetree4U]

Yes, Fantool. I have become a real K&K fan. Sounds sooooo natural. I really like the sound of the Walden unplugged, and, BINGO! It sounds just like that plugged. The only thing I run into once in a while is some feedback when stage volume is really hot. Full band, cranking... but feedback is not always a problem. Still experimenting with it, but I am sold on the sound.

 

Yes, I got the B-stock via ebay. Just keep an eye out... If you don't mind some blems. My D710 has a cosmetic stain under the finish on the top and just happens to be under where my arm lays. It also has a small finish crack on the top. Both of these just give it some character, and mark it "mine."