Reviews

Worldwide
Magazines
Reviews
Acoustic Guitar Magazine (U.S.A.)
Walden T550 Review, August 2008
G570TB Review, May 2007
SupraNatura G1070 Review, March 2005
Fret Magazine (U.S.A.)
G570 and D1030 Review, Spring-Summer 2005
Guitar Player (Brazil)
G740CE Review, Feb 2006
Guitar & Bass (UK)
G730 named Best Fingerpicker, Feb 2008
Guitar Ausgabe (Germany)
Walden G1070CEQ: Kleines, groes, Kunstwerk, April 2008
Akustik Gitarre (Germany)
Walden O550CE Review, February 2008
Walden G2070 Review, June 2007
Guitar Club (Italy)
Walden Supra Natura G3030CEQ, March 2007
Guitarist Magazine (France)
D555CE: Un cas intressant, January 2007
Guitar Unplugged (France)
Walden Supranatura G3000: Belle naturelle, December 2007
Walden D555CE: It Sings, March 2007
Guitar Classique (France)
N570: Votez vert! May 2007
Australian Musician (Australia)
SupraNatura D2040 review, spring 2008.
Australian Guitar (Australia)
Natura G630CE review, November 2008
Natura T550 Review
by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA)
Review of a compact travel guitar that's a
blast to playeven when you're not out on
the road.
For a lot of guitar players, travel guitars are
a compromise by definition. But as
smaller-bodied guitars return to vogue,
some of the industrys most respected
builders are devoting more attention to the
quality and sound of travel- and parlor-size
instruments. Walden Guitars is now among
the manufacturers aiming to improve the
sonic possibilities of the travel-size guitar.
And on many counts, the new T550 hits the
mark.
Walden isnt yet a household name among
guitar consumers. The company began
building instruments in 1996, primarily for
the European and Canadian markets, and
entered the US market for the first time
several years later. But in that short time
Walden carved out a respectable niche in
the cluttered affordable-guitar market, built
on a reputation for value, quality construc-
tion, and playability. And its on these fronts
that the T550 delivers.
SMALL, SOLID, AND SUBDUED
Like other Waldens weve seen, the T550
conveys an understated air of quality right
out of the case. The satin nitrocellulose
finish is flawless and reveals a handsome
straight- and even-grained spruce top that
youd expect to find on a more expensive
guitar. The bookmatched laminate
mahogany back, meanwhile, is quite
striking in sunlight, revealing a deep grain
pattern that radiates outward from the bass
end of the body to achieve a subtle but cool
sunrise effect. It also lends a sense that
Walden is choosing its wood and materials
with considerable care.
A peek around the interior revealed the
same attention to fit and quality. Kerfing
and bracing were both exceptionally clean.
And details like the truss-rod access -
which are often marred by the splintery
by-products of drilling on similarly priced
guitarswere spotlessly tidy. A small,
tortoiseshell-colored pickguard, black and
white rosette, and matching binding all
contribute to a traditional, classy look, and
only the slim, tapered headstock hints at
any kind of contemporary design influence.
RESONANT AND CUTTING
By virtue of their diminutive dimensions,
travel guitars cant achieve the
full-spectrum tone or volume of a full-size
guitar. But those inherent limitations are
part of what makes the T550s projection,
presence, and character so remarkable.
The Walden cant quite muster the sustain
youd get from a big-bodied, full-scale
guitar, either. But the T550 makes the most
of its 7/8-scale body and compensates with
tones that are complex and versatile
across several styles.
In standard tuning, country-blues finger-
picking sounded delightfully dry and funky,
but still quite full bodied. Single-note
picking on the third and fourth strings
yielded tones that were a bit on the angu-
lar, boxy side, but the first and second
strings rang with authority, and the faster
decay of all the notes worked well for
snappy, percussive strumming and flatpick-
ing. Tuned down, the Walden is surpris-
ingly bassy. And when I strummed some
big, open drones in my favorite C tuning,
the Waldens dry, barky tonal tendencies
gave way to a low end rich sustain that that
belied the guitars small size and reinforced
what a well-balanced guitar the T550 is.
With its rich palette of tones; substantial, high-quality feel; and
responsiveness, the Walden makes a travel companion that would
be a delight to spend time with in a hotel, around the campfire, or on
the trail.
The Waldens neck feels very substantial. tones; substantial, high-quality feel; and
And while the thick profile made the neck responsiveness, the Walden makes a
feel largish compared to the small body, it travel companion that would be a delight to
enhanced the Waldens overall sense of spend time with in a hotel, around the
substance and quality, and more than likely campfire, or on the trail. Its an ideal guitar
contributed to the guitars tuning stability for smaller players and students, and its
and sustain in lower open tunings. easy to imagine recording situations where
the Waldens rich but not-so-boomy voice
THE WRAP could come in handy. That versatility and
On more than a few occasions during my more-than-satisfactory sonic qualities help
time with the Walden, I would reach for the the Walden stand apart from much of the
T550 instead of a number of full-size affordable travel-guitar pack.
guitars around my house and in the office.
A lot of that has to do withthe instruments
unobtrusive sizeits a really easy guitar to
keep sitting next to the couch or your
desk while youre working, listening to
records, or chatting. But it also speaks
volumes about how good the Walden
sounds and feels. With its rich palette of
www.waldenguitars.com
Natura G570TB Review
by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA)
Handsome sunburst cedar top delivers
three-dimensional tone and respon-
siveness at an attractive price.
For a lot of guitar players, travel guitars
While the Walden Guitars name is
relatively new to the US market, the
company has been marketing instru-
ments from its own Lilan, China,
factory to European, Canadian, and
South African guitarists since 1996.
Starting with a business built around a
traditional dreadnought and a single
classical guitar design, Walden has
built its output into three lines each of
classical guitars and steel-strings
made with a wide range of woods,
body styles and price points. The
affordable G570TB Grand Auditorium
steel-string is part of their mid-level
Natura line.
APPROACHABLE, ATTRACTIVE,
AND AFFORDABLE
Despite its low price, the Walden's
build quality is hard to fault. Fret ends
lie flush against the bound-rosewood
fretboard, and the precise dot inlays
and appropriately cut nut slots demon-
strate care. The book-matched-cedar
top's dark tobacco sunburst and the
back and side's attractive wood grains
are protected by a seamless, satin
nitrocellulose finish, with no excess
buildup anywhere. The
black/white/black rosette and match-
ing body purfling also give off a classy
vibe that belies the G570TB's low
price, and the backstrip, tailblock strip,
and finely carved heel point all match
up with lay-line accuracy. A look inside
revealed clean kerfing and svelte,
scalloped bracing, with minimal visible
excess glue confirmation that this no
thrown-together job while the
flawless bolt-on neck joint adds
uptown mystique. In all, fit and finish
are excellent, and Walden takes care
to include a second "winter" saddle (to
offset the lowered action that occurs in
low-humidity conditions) and Planet
waves soundhole humidifier (with refill
syringe).
BRIGHT AND BALANCED BIG
BODY
The robust and aesthetically pleasing
15 7/8-inch grand auditorium body
vaguely reminiscent of a cross
between a Taylor grand auditorium and
an OM combines with the nicely
C-shaped mahogany neck To Hearand
medium factory action in a very com-
fortable and playable package, though
the action could easily go even lower
with the help of a setup tech. Played
fingerstyle, the G570TB cheerfully
responds with a bright, airy, mahogany
tone and plenty of smooth sustain
behind the initial clear cedar edge.
The 4 5/8 -inch-deep body supports
the tonewoods with a three-
dimensional tenor midrange and just
enough baritone on bottom to balance
things out. I found the bass strings to
be focused and tight, with almost none
of the low-string thud that can plague
With an appealing mahogany voice, versatile body size, and
excellent build quality, the G570TB will work nicely for any player
wanting a dose of rich acoustic tone and grown-up feel at a rock-
guitars inprice.
bottom this price range.

Spinning the smooth chrome tuners, I
was pleased to find that pieces in open
or altered tunings ring out with power
and lan; each note in a chord sings
with clarity and distinction. Playing with
a pick produces a responsive, engag-
ing tone, with a jangly sparkle evident
during open-chord strumming, and
plenty of volume, sustain, and punch
available for palm-muted power
chords or biting single-note solo excur-
sions.
Throughout, the G570TB rewards
player nuance with the appropriate
response: Vibrato, picking dynamics,
and color changes are reproduced on
demand. In all, there is more than
www.waldenguitars.com
enough tactile feedback and satisfying
tone to reward beginners, advancing
intermediate players adding new tech-
niques to their to their repertoire, and
advanced players alike.
THE WRAP
With an appealing mahogany voice,
versatile body size, and excellent build
quality, the G570TB will work nicely for
any player wanting a dose of rich
acoustic tone and grown-up feel at a
rock-bottom price. Its handsome,
woody looks and open-string sparkle
make it a natural choice for beginners
learning to strum their first chords, and
an instrument that's likely to remain
rewarding to play as they develop.
SupraNatura G1070 Review
by Acoustic Guitar Magazine (USA)

Excerpts from the review: "Breedlove, Simon and Patrick

and Walden Small-Bodies" March 2005

Walk into almost any guitar store, and it will soon become
apparent that large dreadnought-sized guitars are the most
popular style available. Although dreadnoughts are great
for their volume, punch and bass response, smaller people
often struggle with the large body size and many players
find dreadnoughts too boomy. Fingerstyle players,
singer-songwriters, and soloists who don't need a lot of
volume generally prefer guitars that respond better to a
light touch than a dreadnought.

Although previously available in other parts of the world,

Chinese-made Walden guitars have only recently been
introduced to the US. While the name will most certainly be
new to most guitarists, the company's Marketing and R&D
Manager and primary designer, Jon Lee, was a former
business partner at the CFox guitar company. The G1070,
part of Walden's top-of-the-line SupraNatura series, has a
solid cedar top, solid mahogany back, laminated
mahogany sides, bolt-on graphite-reinforced mahogany
neck, and a cosmetically simple appearance with nice
touches like maple binding. The materials, construction,
and craftsmanship of our review guitar were very good all
around.... The guitar has a 25 1/2 -inch scale and a 1 11/16
-inch nut width.

I was first struck by the Walden's rich, fat bass response, a

good indication of what was to come as I put it through its
paces. It had a mature tone, was suited to fingerstyle play-
ing and light strumming, and sounded open and
balanced... It responded equally well to light and hard pick-
ing...

All of these instruments offered incredibly mature acoustic

tone and would be great performing axes. The Walden
SupraNatura G1070 definitely exuded the most "high-end"
vibe in terms of tone and looks... The market has definitely
been greatly enriched by this trio of small-bodied flattops.

www.waldenguitars.com
Natura G570 and Supra D1030 Review
by Frets Magazine (USA)
Walden introduces us to their guitar
universe with two reasonably priced
linesthe entry-level Natura Series,
and the more plush SupraNatura
Series. The lightweight Natura G570
offers a grand auditorium-size body, a
solid-red cedar top, sapele mahogany
back and sides, and Waldens signa-
ture satin-matte nitrocellulose lacquer
finish. Nitrocellulose is typically associ-
ated with high-end and vintage instru-
ments. Besides the fact this type of
finish is much thinnerallowing the
guitar to vibrate and breathe more
freelyits also comfortable to play,
with none of the tackiness or stickiness
of some high-gloss finishes.
The factory setup was just about right
for mea fairly straight neck with a
low action and the strings following the
radius of the fretboard. Other neck
features are the smooth Indian rose-
wood fretboard with a matching rose-
wood head plate and a pearl logo, and
a carefully carved dovetail neck joint.
The nicely plated chrome die-cast
tuners are stable, and they turn
smoothly with no grittiness. Some of
the nut slots are cut a bit low, causing
a little open string buzz, although noth-
ing too bothersome. The fret job is
admirable, with no excess glue, sharp
ends, or noticeable high or low spots.
Although the pickguard is cut a little
roughly, the basic plastic rosette, bind-
ing, and trim were carefully cut and
attached.
The 570s voice is warm and mellow
especially when strumming open
chords. Overall, the G570 is an attrac-
tive and approachable guitar that gives
up enough rich tone and sustain to
totally inspire a developing guitarist. In
terms of price, features, and playabil-
ity, the G570 is perfect for the begin-
ning or intermediate player. There was
a timenot so long agowhen there
was no such thing as a solid-top guitar
streeting for $250. Instruments such
the Walden G570 may inspire a whole
new generation of guitars and guitarists.
The D1030 features the same comfy-
feeling nitrocellulose finish as the
G570, as well as a solid-red cedar top
(possibly chosen for its richly dark
tonality that is favored by many finger-
style players). The dreadnought body
offers pre-war-style scalloped
X-bracing, Indian rosewood sides, a includes a compensated bone nut and
solid Indian rosewood back, and a a compensated bone saddle. These
rosewood bridge with wood endpins. improve sustain, as well as helping the
Other appointments include die-cast guitar play more in tune in all positions.
gold-tone tuners with faux-tortoiseshell
buttons, maple trim with wood purfling, When strumming open chords, the
and a maple and mahogany inlaid D1030s notes are focused with lots of
rosette.

The 570s voice is warm and mellow.... the D1030s notes are
focused with lots of fundamental and punch.

The neck is what makes the Supra-
Natura series unique in the Walden
line. My first impression was that it felt
too thin. However, the bolt-on,
rosewood-on-mahogany neck is as
strong and rigid as can be, reinforced
by two inlaid rows of stiff carbon graph-
ite. The neck is shallow front to back
and is described by Walden as a
modern profile, designed for smooth
execution of the most complex finger-
style techniques. The lack of depth
may feel a little weird for traditionalists,
but its excellent for beginners, electric
guitarists who play acoustics every
once in a while, or players with smaller
hands. Graphite adds strength without
a lot of excess weight, contributing to a
neck that should require fewer adjust-
ments due to string gauge or climate
changes. (The neck is equipped with a
2-way adjustable trussrod when that
day eventually comes.) The D1030 also
fundamental and punch. Its hard to
say how much influence the graphite
reinforcement has on the tone, as it
takes the place of some wood and
affects the vibration of the neck. The
rigidity of the neck does transfer to the
overall feel of the guitar, which, along
with the tight mids and treble, will
make it an excellent choice for record-
ing situations. The D1030 has good
string-to-string balance while picking,
but it may not have the volume that
some fingerstylists crave.
Many features on the D1030 are char-
acteristic of much more expensive
guitars, such as solid top, solid back,
and wood binding. It adds up to a
smart-looking instrument with a sturdy
feel and a strong sound. Waldens
SupraNatura Series is sure to get
plenty of looks from guitarists shop-
ping in the under-$1,000 price range.

www.waldenguitars.com
Natura G740CE Review
translated from Guitar Player (Brazil)
These days it's not hard to find high
quality, well-finished Chinese
instruments at a good price. The
Walden G740CE is just such an
instrument. The body shape is
similar to Taylor's grand auditorium
and the guitar is built with quality
materials that result in a beautiful
sound.
The G740CE has a blemish-free
nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Made
from tree fiber, nitrocellulose
lacquer has been the material of
choice for guitar finishing since the
eighteenth century. A satin finish is
smoother than a high gloss finish,
The Walden G740CE is a professional and adaptable guitar for
any musicians work.
allowing for easier and faster
movement along the neck.
The G740CE 's top is made of solid
Sitka spruce, a wood that delivers
tons of volume and equilibrium. It is
the top choice for guitarists who
play with a heavy hand. The aba-
lone rosette is a nice detail and
inside the body you'll find thin
brace wood that structures the
sound. The braces increase the
bass sound without losing the
harmonics and treble sounds.
The bridge and fingerboard are
made of Indian rosewood the
most desired wood for acoustic
guitars, as well as electric and bass
guitars. The beautiful design adds
to the overall quality of the instru-
ment. The sides and back of the
G740CE are made from African
mahogany, which produces consis-
tent sound and maintains stability.
Walden Guitars uses only
mahogany on the neck of their
instruments. The comfortably-
shaped G740CE neck has 20 frets.
The cutaway affords easy access
to the treble frets and the neck
body joint is like a dovetail, yielding
great sustain. An important detail of
the instrument is the truss rod
which precisely and securely
adjusts the action, even with heavy
strings.
The instrument is 64.77cm
between the top and bridge nut.
Locked, gold machine heads
assure accurate tuning. The head-
stock features Indian rosewood
and a pearl Walden logo. The
Fishman Classic 4 is a four
band EQ that yields
different sounds.
SOUNDS
First, we tested the Walden
plugged into a Beringher
console and Antera
amplified speakers. In
all EQ and volume set
ups, the G740CE had
a great sound. When
connecting it with a
microphone, in addition
to the preamp, the sound
quality increased most
noticeably at high volumes.
Next we connected it to a Fender
Acoustasonic 30. The sound was
even better and fuller. Using maxi- lines that are useful in pop-rock,
mum volume, flat EQ and no Brazilian country and other styles.
effects, the G740CE performed The Walden G740CE is a profes-
extremely well, without noise and sional and adaptable guitar for any
feedback. Using DSP effects, the musicians work.
guitar produced full, great sounds
with sufficient dept to convince the
most demanding guitarists. A little
chorus and reverb provided beautiful
www.waldenguitars.com
Natura G730 named Best Fingerpicker
by Guitar & Bass (UK)

If this guitar came with a price tag of 500, we wouldn't

have blinked. It has a solid cedar top, a solid rose-
wood back, scalloped bracing, cast tuners and a satin
nitro-cellulose finish. The sides are laminated: some
luthiers prefer this because it effectively decouples the
top from the back. You even get an abalone rosette
and a pearl logo. The Walden ships with a humidifier,
but no case or gigbag - but who's complaining when it
sounds like this? It chimes, rings, thumps and kerc-
hunks - everything you could ask of in an acoustic
guitar. This is the unmistakable sound of solid wood
combined with effortless playability and a sonic char-
acter that's equally suited to strumming and picking.
Even the build quality is virtually flawless. Add a
proper bone nut and saddle and some classy tuners,
and this could slay the big guns - for peanuts.

www.waldenguitars.com
SupraNatura G1070CEQ Review
by Guitar Ausgabe (Germany)
Schon der erste Blick lsst erahnen,
dass es bei der Walden G1070CEQ
nach guter Tradition des Hauses in
erster Linie um den guten Ton geht und
nicht um berflssigen Perlmutt-
Schnickschnack und sonstigen Unfug,
der nur den Preis in die Hhe treiben
wrde. Da wir uns knapp under der
1.000-Euro-Grenze befinden, sollte
die Walden klanglich schon einiges zu
bieten haben. So viel sei vorab
verraten: Sie ist ihr Geld wert.
Auf ein besonderes Schmankerl hat
man bei Walden Guitars nicht verzich-
tet und dem Instrument gleich ein
F i s h m a n - To n a b n e h m e r - s y s t e m
spendiert. Damit steht dem groen
Auftritt nichts mehr im Weg. Die Reise
dorthin tritt die Gitarre im edlen Koffer
an, der im Preis enthalten ist.
Bei der G1070CEQ handelt es sich um
ein Modell namens ,,Grand Audito-
rium", das inzwischen jedoch bei
jedem Hersteller etwas anders auss-
ieht und nicht mehr viel mit der
ursprnglichen Bezeichnung ,,000"
der Firma Martin zu tun hat. Wenn man
so will, handelt es sich um eine Misc-
hung aus Dreadnought und Jumbo:
das Beste aus beiden Welten.
Wenn Gitarrent sprechen knnten
Die Supranatura-Line von Walden
besteht ausschlielich aus ausge-
suchten massiven Tonhlzern. Plastik-
teile sucht man bei dieser Serie verge-
bens, da alle Einlagen und sogar das
Binding aus verschiedenen Holzarten
gefertigt sind. Das verleiht der Gitarre
eine sehr natrliche Note und macht
sie zu einem kleinen Kunstwerk.
Geschmackvoller geht es nicht mehr.
Sogar die Bridgepins sind aus Holz
hergestellt, Sattel und Steg aus
echtem Knochen. Das Halsprofil liegt
angenehm flach in der Hand und sollte
damit auch fr kleiner Hnde geeignet
sein.
Sowohl auf dem Griffbrett als auch auf
der Stirnseite markieren kleine
unscheinbare Punkte die Lagen. Aber
wahre Cowbows brauchen doch
sowieso nur vier Bnde und drei
Akkorde, oder?
Nachdem ich mich von der Optik zum
Schwrmen hingerissen fhlte, steht
nun die einzig entscheinde Disziplin
ins Haus: Kann die Gitarre auch
klanglich mithalten? Da wir doch eh
gerade im Wilden Westen waren,
wollen, wir gleich mal einen Walking-
Bass la ,,Ring Of Fire" anstimmen.
Yeeahhh! Da fhlt man sich doch
gleich wie in der weiten Prrie. Genau
so klingt die Walden nmlich. Der
dnne Nitro-Zellulose-Lack steht dem
Schwingungsverhalten nicht im Weg,
so dass sich sofort ein angenehm
voller und ausgewogener Ton entfalten
kann, fr den das passende Adjektiv
erst noch gefunden werden muss. In
jedem Fall ist es eine Mischung aus
Charimsa, Atmosphre und einer
Ein echtes Allround-Instrument mit einer bestechenden Optik und
einer Menge Persnlichkeit, von der sich so mancher Musiker mit
Sicherheit gerne verzaubern lsst.
Menge Persnlichkeit. Diese Gitarre uns zuletzt einem ganz weltlichen
hat mich bereits berzeugt, dass sie Thema: dem integrierten Preamp, der
ihr Geld wert ist. die bliche Dreiband-Klangregelung
und einen zustzlichen Brillance-
Der Preamp Regler besitzt. Dieser entschrft den
Mein Eindruck besttigt sich auch bei fr meinen Geschmack zu elektronis-
genauerer Untersuchung. Finger- chen Ampsound etwas.
picker werden begeistert sein, da sie
es versteht, die Dynamik und den Das bleibt hngen
Ausdruck eines sauberen Finger- Die Gitarre bietet fr jeden Spielertyp
anschlags wiederzugeben. Arpeggios etwas. Ein echtes Allround-Instrument
verdichten sich mit jeder ange- mit einer bestechenden Optik und
schlagenen Note dichter zu einem einer Menge Persnlichkeit, von der
uerst harmoniscen Klanggeflecht. sich so mancher Musiker mit Sicher-
Diese Gitarre spricht eine deutliche heit gerne verzaubern lsst. Dieses
Sprache, und wenn ich mich etwas auf Instrument versteht es, kleine
ihr verliere, habe ich sogar das Gefhl, Soundwelten zu erschaffen, und unter-
als wrde sie sich mit mir unterhalten. sttzt die musikalischen Ausflge
zustzlich mit einer vorbildlichen
Genug der Schwrmerei, Widmen wir Bespielbarkeit.
www.waldenguitars.com
Natura O550CE Review
by Akustik Gitarre (Germany)
Walden-Gitarren sind im mittleren und
Einstiegssegment immer wieder dann
gefragt, wenn es um Instrumente geht,
die mglichst viel Ton zum kleinen
Preis bieten sollen. Pnktlich zum
Jahreswechsel wurde die Einstiegs-
serie Natura um einige Bauformen mit
und ohne Tonabnehmer erweitert.
Neben einer Sieben-Achtel Travel-
Guitar gibt es eine neue OM-Form
unter der Bezeichnung Orchestra, die
um einiges handlicher und kleiner ist
als Waldens Grand Auditorium und die
vor allem fr Fingerstyle-Techniken
interessant sein drfte.
KONSTRUKTION
Laut Herstellerangabe soll die zierliche
Orchestra, die an die bewhrte alte
Pre-War Bauform anknpft, auch
besonders fr Gitarristinnen geeignet
sein sicher ein nachvollziehbarer
Aspekt. Das wrde dann aber fr alle
OM-Modelle gleich welcher Herkunft
gelten. Das vorliegende Modell hat
einen Cutaway und ein aktives Fish-
mann Pickup-System zu bieten, was
sie klar zur Bhnengitarre macht,
obwohl sie auch akustisch einiges zu
bieten hat. Mit einer kreuzbeleisteten,
vollmassiven Fichtendecke bekom-
men wir hier von vorneherein gute
Grundvoraussetzungen; der Korpus
wurde aus Sapele-Mahogani gefertigt.
Steg, Griffbrett und Kopfplattenfurnier
bestehen aus Palisander, die
Kopfplatte trgt das Logo aus Perloid.
Das ist neben den dazu passenden
Griffbrettpunkten und Korpus-,
Decken- und Schalllocheinfassungen
aus Kunststoff auch schon alles, was
das zurckhaltend gestaltete Instru-
ment an Schmuck zu bieten hat.
Fr den geschraubten Hals wurde
ebenfalls auf Mahagoni zurckgeg-
riffen, er hat zwar wie alle Walden-
Gitarren den in beide Richtungen
verstellbaren Biflex-Einstellstab, nicht
aber die Karbonverstrkung der
SupraNatura-Reihe. Fr Sattel,
Stegeinlage und Bridgepins wurder
weier Kunststoff verwendet ein
weiterer Unterschied zum Knochen-
material der SupraNatura. Die Verar-
beitung ist sauber wie gewohnt.
Gerade vor dem Hintergrund der
Preislage bekommt man hier einen
sehr positiven Gesamteindruck.
PICKUP & ELEKTRONIK
Das Fishman-System beinhaltet einen
koaxialen ,Sonicare'-Tonabnehmer
unter der Stegeinlage und den Vier-
Band-Equalizer in der Zarge, der
neben den drei Standardreglern einen
Brilliance-Regler fr mehr hochfre-
quenten Glanz bietet. Der 9-Volt-Block
ist direkt unter der Elektronik zugn-
glich, die men fr den Wechsel
herauszieht. Eine schwache Batterie
zeigt die Kontroll-LED, die ansonsten
bei Inbetriebnahme kurz aufleuchtet.
Das System arbeitet grundsolide, die
Saiten werden in ihrer Lautstrke
gleichmig bertragen, die bedi-
enungsfreundliche Klangreglung sollte
auch Ungebte auf Anhieb und schnell
zum Ziel kommen lassen, zumal Fish-
man in der Bedienungsanleitung Tipps
und Vorschlge bietet.
HANDHABUNG UND KLANG
Spieltechnisch gibt es bei dem zierli-
chen Intsrument keine Hindernisse.
Der Hals macht das Spielen mit seinem schlanken D-Profil leicht,
die Werkseinstellung ist optimal.
Der Hals macht das Spielen mit Verstrkt rckt der perkussiv-trockene
seinem schlanken D-Profil leicht, die Gesamteindruck noch mehr in den
Werkseinstellung ist optimal. Klanglich Vondergrund, was der Gitarre einen
wei die O550CE rein akustisch mit gewissen Charme gibt.
dem fr diese Bauform typisch mittig
fokussierten Ton und ihre Ausge- FAZITB
wogenheit zu berzeugen. Ihre Haupt- Gerade in der Einstiegsklasse ist es
strken entwickelt sie vor allem bei wichtig, ein gut bespielbares Instru-
Fingerstyle-Techniken, aber auch ment zu bekommen, das sich auch
Strumming mit dem Plektrum kann die verstrkt problemlos bedienen lsst.
Walden gut verkraften, ohne in den Mancher findet mit einer solchen
hohen Mitten harsch zu werden. Gitarre sien zweites Instrument, das
Ansonsten eignet sich die Gitarre ber bei den Ansprchen schon fr ernst
das gesamte Griffbrett auch gut fr gemeinte Auftritte reichen soll. Fr
jazzige Singlenote-Linien. Spieltech- solche Anforderungen ist die Walden
nische Nuancen geraten etwas in den O550CE gut geeignet, speziell in den
Hintergrund, auf der anderen Seite wesentlichen Merkmalen wie Klang
reagiert die Gitarre bei grberer Spiel- und Bespielbarkeit. Ein Luftbefeuchter
weise recht gutmtig, was in dieser ist im Preis inbegriffen.
www.waldenguitars.com
Supranatura G2070
by Akustik Gitarre (Germany)
Die Firma Walden Guitars wurde 1995
von P.W. Chen in Nordchina gegrn-
det. Die Instrumente aus der chinesis-
chen Kleinstadt Lilan finden im unteren
und mittleren Preisbereich Beachtung.
Mit der SupraNatura-Reihe bekommt
man Instrumente, die konzeptionell auf
Naturmaterialien setzen und bei
zurkhaltendem Design klanglich auf
den Punkt kommen sollen.
Das Etikett im Schallloch trgt den
schmckenden Aufdruck ,Designed in
the USA', was auf der Kooperation mit
der amerikinischen Firma CFox
Guitars beruht. Die SupraNatura ist
Waldens Toplinie, dabei konzentriert
man sich auf die Grand-Auditorium-
Form in verschiedenen Ausfhrungen.
User Testmodell stammt aus der
2000er- Reihe, die im reprsentativen
Mittelfeld angesiedelt ist.
Fangen wir an mit der Materialauswahl
der vollmassiven G2070: Hier fllt die
gleichmig fein gemaserte Rotzeder-
decke auf, das kreuzbeleistete Kern-
stck der Klangbildung. Fr Korpus
und Hals wurde afrikanisches
Mahogoni verwendet; hier ist das
Material etwas grber, was durch die
rotbraune Beize optisch geschickt
kaschiert wurde und klanglich kaum
ins Gewicht fallen drfte. Das Furnier
der zierlichen, etwas spitz zulaufenden
Kopfplatte mit Perlmutlogo besteht wie
das Griffbrett aus Palisander. Der
leicht geschwungene Steg aus
gleichem Material setzt einen weiteren
optischen Akzent und bestimmt
zusammen mit der Kopfplatte das
Erscheinungsbild. Korrespondierend
wurde fr die Echtholz-
Korpuseinfassungen neben
Zierspnen auch Palisander eing-
esetzt und die Holzrosette dezent mit
Zierspnen gestaltet. Abgerundet wird
das Ganze durch vergoldete Mechani-
ken mit braunen Periodknpfen und
End- und Stegpins aus Palisander.
Das Finish ist eine seidenmatte Nitro-
lackierung, die am Hals ein angenehm
glattes, holziges Gefhl vermittelt.
Eine Materialbesonderheit: Der
geschraubte Hals hat eine Stabi-
lisierung aus Karbon, was eine schlan-
kere Form ermglicht, ohne dass die
Stabilitt gefhrdet wre. Natrlich gibt
es auch einen Einstellstab, sogar
einen Bi-Flex, mit dem die Halskrm-
mung vom Schallloch aus in beide
Richtungen korrigiert werden kann.
Weitere durchdachte Details zeigen
eine solide, saubere Verabeitung, zum
Beispiel die akkurat eingesetzten
Bnde und einen exakt abgestimmter
Sattel, der wie die kompensierte
Stegeinlage aus Knochen besteht. Die
Walden G2070 hlt auch bei der
Spiegelinspektion des Innenlebens
souvern der berprfung stand.
HANDHABUNG UND KLANG
Eine Grand Auditorium mchte
spieltechnisch gern mit Fingerstyle-
und Picking-Techniken bearbeitet
werden. Das Instrument berzeugt bei
leichter Ansprache mit einem runden,
weichen Ton. Das ausgeglichene
Klangbild inspiriert zu keltisch ange-
hauchter Spielweise, wobei das
Sustain eine angenehm tragende
Rolle spielt. Hier hilft auch die Kombi-
nation von Zederndecke und Mahago-
nikorpus, ein Klassiker, wenn ein
warmes transparentes Klangbild mit
runden Mitten und zurckhaltenden
Bssen gewnscht ist. So kann die
Walden G2070 auch offene Stimmun-
gen ohne strende Resonanzen verar- FAZIT
beiten. Die G2070 Grand Auditorium besttigt,
dass bei Walden Wert gelegt wird auf
Mit dem Plektrum erzielt man bei alle wesentlichen Details, die Klang
sensibler Spieltechnik einen luftig- und Verarbeitung prgen. Viel
weichen, perkussiven Sound, bei dem Erfahrung fundiertes Wissen ermgli-
sich so mancher Singer-Songewriter chen hier durch przise moderne
gut aufgehoben fhlen drfte. Kom- Produktionstechnik einen grundsol-
plexe Harmonien trennt die Gitarrre iden Fertigungs-standard, der angesi-
nicht allzu scharf, und auch spieltech- chts des erschwinglichen Preises
nische Nuancen werden nicht in allen berzeugen kann. Wer sich momentan
Feinheiten abgebildet. Dafr reagiert fr ein vollmassives Instrument der
die Walden gutmtig auf kleine Unsau- unteren Mittelklasse (700 bis 1000
berkeiten. Gitarristen, die gerne Euro) interessiert, sollte die Walden
beherzt zulangen, sollten einen Gang SuptraNaturas antesten. Neben der
zurckschalten: Dafr ist diese Gitarre sauberen Bauweise und dem defini-
nicht konzipiert und wrde bers- erten Klang fallen auch weitere Dinge
teuern. Del schlanke Hals mit mittel- ins Gewicht: der mitgelieferte Luxu-
breitem Griffbrett liegt Dank sauberer skoffer inklusive Gurt und Luftbe-
Werkseinstellung gut in der Hand, feuchter von Planet Waves sowie die
wobei die Bnde fr manche Spieltech- Werksbestckung mit beschichteten
niken gerne hher sein drften. D'Addario-Saiten.
www.waldenguitars.com
SupraNatura G3030CEQ Review
by Guitar Club (Italy)
l marchio Walden comparso di recente sul
mercato italiano, produce una linea di chitarre,
classiche e folk, cercando di coniugare alta
qualit di lavorazione e materiali di primissima
scelta ad un prezzo vantaggioso.
Gli strumenti, progettati negli Stati Uniti,
vengono realizzati in Cina.
La produzione di chitarre folk prevede tre serie:
Standard, la pi economica e che potremmo
dfinire entre leve, Natura, e la top of the line
Supra Natura.
Di quest'ultima serie, interamente realizzata con
legni masselli, fanno parte i modelli 1000 (cedro
e mogano), 2000 (cedro o abete e mogano)
entrambi con tastiera in palissandro, 3000
(abete o cedro e palissandro) con tastiera in
ebano, realizzato nelle seguenti versioni:
G3000, G3000CE (cutaway electric con sistema
Fishman Ellipse Pro) e la G3030CEQ (Cutaway
electric con sistema Fishman Prefix Pro) oggetto
della nostra prova.
Il prezzo di listino di quest'ultima di Euro
1.142,00 (lva inclusa): fornita di custodia
rigida, chiave a brugola per la regolazione del
truss-rod, libretto di istruzioni per il sistema
Fishman e di un ultissimo umidificatore per la
corretta manutenzione della chitarra stessa.
Aprendo la bella custodia in dotazione
rimaniamo immediatamente colpita dalle qualit
estetiche di questa chitarra, a partire dai legni
utilizzati e dall'ato livello di finitura. Date le
premesse, non possiamo che cominciare la
nostra prova con grande curiosit.
IL SUONO
Cominciamo a provare lo strumento. La prima
sensazione positiva, a partire dal volume di
emissione molto vicino a strumenti di ben altra
fascia di prezzo. Il timbro risulta gi ben definito
nonostante la chitarra sia nuova e sappiamo
bene che, col tempo, dato l'uso di legni masselli,
sar destinato a migliorare.
La gamma di frequenze ottimamente
bilanciata. Basse presenti, anche se non partico-
larmente potenti, medie equalibrate quel tanto
che basta per non rendere troppo nasale il
suono ed alte molto eleganti e mai invasive.
Ottimo anche l'equilibrio tra le corde con una
particolare nota di merito ai cantini caratterizzati
da un eccellente sustain lungo tutta la tastiera.
Anche la corda del sol, punto debole di molte
chitarre, non crea problemi di alcun genere ed
emerge anche nell'esecuzione di accordi
complessi.
Utilizzando la tecnica del fingerstyle, rimaniamo
colpiti dalla sensibilt delta Walden in grado di
riprodurre tutte le sfumature del nostro tocco.
Come gi accennato in precedenza, l'action
regolata alla prefezione e la nostra mano sinistra
si muove con grande agilit su tutta la tastiera,
favorita anche dal profilo sottile del manico.
Lo strumento reagisce bene anche con le
accordature aperte, pur se le corde extra light in
dotazione faticano un po' su quelle di Sol e Re.
Sostituite con una mula light (per interderci 012)
il problerna svanisce. Gli armonici risultano
estremamente sonori ed anche quelli presi al III
IV e IX tasto escono senza alcuna fatica.
Con il pletrro il timbro rimane ben definito, garan-
tendo uno strumming inciviso ed elegante allo
stresso tempo.
Colleghiamo quindi la nostra Walden ad un P.A.
e verifichiamo le sue "doti electtriche". Nessuna
spiacevole sorpresa. Il Fishman Prefix Pro une
sistema affidabile ed in grado di riprodurre con
buona fedelt la timbrica dello strumento e a
volumi elevati (attenzione comunque a non
esagerare) il controllo notch limita i problemi di
larsen, garantendoci un utilizzo on stage di
oltimo livello.
In conclusione, possiamo dire di trovarci di
fronte ad un eccellente strumento realizzato con
grande cura costruttiva, legni di alta qualit,
manico e tastiera sorprendentemente conforte-
voli. E, soprattutto, di uno strumento dotato di un
gran bel suono acustico, senza dimenticare il
suo vantaggioso rapporto qualit-prezzo.
Complimenti Walden!
CASSA Il capotasto anch'esso in osso vero ed
La Walden G3030CEQ una Grand Autidorium lavorato alla perfezione in modo tale da permet-
a spalla mancante di tipo Venetian, con tavola in tere alle corde di scorrere senza trovare punti di
cedro rosso massello di qualit eccellente e attrito.
priva di qualsiasi difetto. Fasce e fondo sono
realizzati in palissandro indiano. Decisamente La tastiera in ebano e monta 20 tasti piccoli. I
bello e raffinato il binding in acero marezzato, dots segnaposizione sono presenti soltanto sui
cos come la rosetta in abalone e legno di profilo superiore. La realizzazione impeccabile
grande sobriet ed eleganza. Il ponte in ebano cos come l'intonazione: precisa su tutta la sua
con selletta in osso con compensazione per la lunghezza e su tutte le corde.
seconda corda. I pins fermacorde sono Anche la regolazione eccellente. (E' molto raro

Replace
anch'essi di ebano.
La vernice alla nitrocellulosa satinata conferisce
ulteriore pregio estetico alla nostra Walden
anche se, data la sua delicatezza e l'assenza di
trovare strumenti perfettamente settati cos
come escono dalla fabbrica). L'action sorpren-
dentemente bassa e, nonostante ci, le corde
non sbattono mai anche se sollecitate a dovere.

w/
un battipenna, richieder qualche piccola
attenzione in pi onde evitare antiestetici graffi.
Esaminando l'interno della cassa, notiamo la
grande cura nella realizzazione delle cante
(scalloped X pre-ware) e delle controfasce
Sicuramente un punto di forza in pi por la
nostra Walden.
ELETTRONICA
Il sistema adotta dalla G3030CEQ il supercol-

higher
ottimamente lavorate. Totalmente assenti
sbavature di colla. La regolazione del truss-rod
accessible dalla buca.
laudato Fishman Prefix Pro e prevede i seguenti
controlli: Treble-Middle-Bass, pi un controllo
Brillance utile per aggiungere presenza al
suono.

res
MANICO E TASTIERA
Il manico in mogano dal profilo sottile e ottima-
mente sagomato, avvitato al corpo con una vite
a brugalo raggiungibile con facilit dalla buca.
Da segnalare l'utilizzo di barre di rinforzo laterali
in Carbon-grafite. La paletta, dal design
semplice ed elegante, monta meccaniche dorate
di tipo sigillato, registrabili, con palettina in
pastica tartarugata.
\
www.waldenguitars.com
Oltre al potenziometro del volume, troviamo
l'utilissimo notch filter che ci consente di tagliare
frequenze indesiderate ed evitare il fastidoso
effetto larsen ad alti volumi. Presente anche il
selettore di fase. L'accesso alla pila estrema-
mente semplice. (Da ricordare che, con pochi
euro in pi, possible avere il sistema Fishman
Ellipse dotato di microfono interno miscelabile
con il rilevatore piezoelettrico).
Natura D555CE: Un cas intressant
by Guitarist Magazine (France)
Issue de la gamme Natura, cette
guitare est livre dans une belle et
solide housse, accompagne d'un
humidificateur pour toujours maintenir
les bois un mme degr d'humidit. gauche.
Au vu de la mto. l'usage de cet objet
reste nanmoins, et c'est heureux,
purement anecdotique, mais qui sait si
les phases caniculaires ne vont pas
aller en s'amplifiant durablement
d'anne en anne...
Une classique du genre
Cette Walden est une nouvelle dcli-
naison d'un grand classique du genre,
j'ai nomm la dreadnought lectro
pan coup. La marque corenne ne
rvolutionne pas le genre, qui
d'ailleurs n'en demande pas moins.
Mais elle nous livre sa version et sa
conception du style, avec sa griffe
personnelle, aussi bien en termes de
lutherie, de sons, que de prix. La
gamme Natura trouve une partie de
ses spcificits dans la mise en uvre
de vernis tendance "cologique",
labors partir de plantes et autres
composants organiques, afin de rdu-
ire les missions et rejets de matires
chimiques. Louable intention, qui ne
nous laisse point insensible. Concrte-
ment, cela se traduit, entre autres par
une finitions satine pour le dos
manche, les clisses et le fond de la
caisse, et brillante pour la table!
Un manche incroyable
Le manche est un petit rgal qui fait
plus penser au terrain de jeu d'un
lectrique qu'une acoustique. Son petit
galbe lui offre une place de choix dans
le creux de la main, et on peut sans
problme utiliser une technique
de jeu trs proche de l'lectrique
dans le placement et le
dplacement de la main
Les mchaniques monts
sont bain d'huile. A leur
extrmit, le chevalet n'est
pas trs original, mais ses
aptitudes et son efficacit
son intactes, et l'ensemble
remplit bien son rle. Il est
coll sur une table en
pica massif plutt joli.
L'clisse suprieure
reoit le prampli
Fishman Classic 4.
Comme un
sou neuf!
La D555 esst
une guitare
qui rclame
pour l'instant
douceur
de jeu et
retenue
pour lui
permettre d'exprimer au mieux son Walden comme une valeureuse com-
potentiel On sent l'instrument trs pagne de scne et de home-studio, l
neuf, trop neuf encore, et il est certain Fishman aidant dans ce cas raliser
que la table va "s'ouvrir" en se bonifi- des prises de sons rapides et efficaces
ant. dans l'immdiat, on obtient un son sans recours un micro externe.
acoustique brillant. Les basses sont
Comme son habitude, Walden nous propse un modle au rap-
port qualit/prix particulirement insolant!
puissantes, mais manquent provisoire- C'est clair
ment de rondeur. Les arpges lui vont Pour 410 euros*, Walden nous
merveille, tandis que les gnreuses propose un instrument srieux et trs
rythmiques style "rakakou" demandent bien plac face la concurrence sur le
une certaine lgret de la main druite plan financier. Aucune ombre notable
pour conserver la musicalit du timbre, ne vient ternir un tableau au final trs
sans crasement. positif. S'attacher les services de la
D555CE, c'est jouer la scurit et
Le Fishman Classic 4 offre un bon l'conomie. Un concept la porte de
potentiel lectro la D555CE. Les toutes les bourses, et c'est tant mieux.
rglages restent standards, avec une
galisation 3 bandes et un contrle de * Prix public conseill
brilliance trs efficace, quei permet
lui seul de modifier notablement le
timbre de l'instrument. La sonorit
gagne ici une relle profondeur, et le
grain sait se fondre dans tous les
styles grce l'efficacit des rglages
proposs par le prampli. D'un son
typiquement "picking" un son trs
"rock unplugged", la diversit des
nuances permet d'envisager cette
www.waldenguitars.com
Supranatura G3000: Belle naturelle
by Guitar Unplugged (France)
L'importateur Hohner nous prsente
aujoud'hui la WaldenG3000, modle de
milieu de gamme de la srie Supranatura
qui, pour rappel, a t conue par un
luthier venant de l'curie Taylor. Un srieux
client. Cette guitare peut tre considre
comme la petite sur de l'lectro-
acoustique G3030 bien que celle-ci ne
bnficie pas d'un pan coup. Avec la
G3000, vous ne trouverez donc pas
d'accs <<haut dbit>> dans les aigus et
l'lectronique (pr-ampli, accordeur
intgr, pizo) est absente. Rien que du
naturel l'tat pur avec, comme vous allez
pouvoir le constater, un vrai savoir-faire
d'artisan.
NOS IMPRESSIONS
Tout d'abord, la G3000 est livre dans son
tui Deluze des plus robustes, recouvert
d'un Ska marron, imitation cuir, de trs
bonne facture. a nous change du noir
ordinaire. En l'ouvrant, nous dcouvrons
une belle fourrure synthtique mauve
(Purple rain...). La classe! Avec lui, vous
pourrez balader l'instrument un peu partout
sans avoir vous soucier d'ventuels
chocs.
bridge>>, douilles, est quip d'un sillet
compens qui devrait nous assurer une
justesse hors pair.
Les clisses ainsi que le dos sont en
palissandre indien massif. Cela
<<tranche>> bien avec l'pica. On
retrouve un deuxime filet d'rable flamm
sur le dos de l'instrument. Ici, mme ce qui
n'est pas visible est <<chiad>>. Le
manche, en acajou africain, prsente une
fine dcoupe en <<C>> et son profil
(appel Narrow) plutt troit nous facilitera
la premire prise en main. La touche est en
palissandre et n'est pas dcore de
repres d'abalone (comme on pouvait s'y
attendre). Ceci accentue la sobrit
gnrale de l'instrument. Pas d'affolement,
les indispensables repres sont malgr
tout visibles sur le ct suprieur du
manche qui comporte vingt cases. Cepen-
dant, vu l'absence de pan coup, il sera
difficile d'acder aux notes se situant
au-del de la quatorzime frette (jonction
corps/manche). La seule attache courroie
se trouve sur la talon. Il faudra adopter la
technique du <<lacet>> pour la jouer
debout.

Allez, sortons la Walden de son cocon et
regardons cela d'un peu plus prs. Pas de
grande surpise concernant la forme de
type <<Grand Auditorium>> qui respecte la
tradition. On remarque d'emble le poids
<<plume>> de la guitare. La table, en
pica sitka massif, bnficie d'un toucher
naturel satin qui apporte une note particu-
lirement sobre et dlicate l'ensemble.
Elle est dcore d'un filet en rable flamm
qui fait son effet. La rosace est entoure de
deux lisers <<multiplis>> mixant l'abalone
et le bois. Comme chez sa consur (la
G3030), la table est renforce d'un barrage
en X dit <<d'avant-guerre>>, galement en
pica. Le chevalet en bne <<belly
Nous arrivons ensuite la tte o trne le
logo de la marque en incrustation
d'abalone. Cette dernire est quipe de
mcaniques dores <<non estampilles>>
bain d'huile. Les boutons ou clefs de type
<<caille>> peuvent rappeler les
<<mushrooms>>. Dernier dtail, la table
n'est pas quipe de plaque de protection
ou pickguard. Prudence, les joueurs les
plus <<froces>>devront moduler leurs
attaques. Il serait dommage d'entamer sa
finition naturelle.
En commenant par une srie d'accords
ouverts, nous sommes tout de suite trs
l'aise. Le manche, bien plus fin que sur de tor o les basses se font moins discrtes.
nombreuses autres guitares acoustiques,
est d'une facilit dconcertante. Sa
dcoupe, surtout dans les basses (vers la
tte), se rapproche vraiment de celle des
lectriques. Bluffant!
Guitar Unplugged
DU BLUES LA COUNTRY
Sans tre envahissante, on peroit une
belle projection sonore ainsi qu'une
agrable compression naturelle. La palette
grave-mdium-aigu est bien respecte,
mme si on aurait souhait un poil plus de
rondeur dans les basses. En la testant sur
une rythmique d'un titre de la belle Natalie
Imbruglia avec muchos <<balayages>>
la clef, elle remplit parfaitement l'espace.
Le rendu est assez percussif...comme on
aime, pas vous?
Petit bmol sur notre modle, l'action des
cordes est un peu haute et, au-del de la
neuvime case, cela commence devenir
www.waldenguitars.com
<<cors>> pour jouer des positions
d'accords barrs. En arpges, excuts au
mdiator ou bien en <<fingerpicking>>, le
rsultat est clair et dynamique. Notre
prfrence va nanmoins au jeu au mdia-
Histoire de <<boucler la boucle>>, on
l'essaie galement avec un bottleneck pour
aller <<chatouiller>> du blue-grass. Les
mdiums se dtachent bien, sans jamais
tre agrerssifs. On peut dire sans
problme qua la G300 saura vous accom-
pagner dans de nombreux styles
musicaux. Du blues la country en
passant par la pop <<de caractre>>.
CONVAINCANTE
Cette belle guitare, bnficiant d'une
fabrication <<made in China>> de trs
bonne facture, trouvera sa place parmi les
multiples modles <<folk>> en dessous de
la barre des 1000 euros. Elle affiche 860
euros bein mrits compte tenu de ce
qu'elle nous propose. Maintentant, il ne
vous reste plus qu' l'essayer et vous
faire votre propre opinion. Avec un rglage
<<cousu main>> et une action des cordes
assez basse, nul doute qu'elle saura vous
convaincre.
Natura D555CE: Elle chante
by Guitar Unplugged (France)
Comme l'indique l'tiquette visible dans
l'oue de l'instrument, cette Walden a t
conue au tats-Unis et fabrique en
Chine. Le modle propos ici appartient
la gamme baptise Natura, celle-ci tant
elle-mme subdivise en trois catgories:
la 500 series, la 600 series et la 700 series.
Fer de lance dans le domaine des guitares
acoustiques, Walden a fait ses preuves en
termes de rapport qualit/prix en proposant
des instruments de bonne facture pour un
prix comptitif. Jetons-y un coup d'il.
SOBRE MAIS EFFICACE
La caisse de cette Dreadnought a t
ralise dans de belles essences de bois:
un corps et des clisses en acajou (voyez
le grain brillant et stril), et une table en
pica massif. Ce mlange d'essences de
bois favorise les sonorits claires et brillan-
tes et donne cette guitare beucoup de
dynamisme. Le traditionnel barrage en
<<X>>, offrant une meilleure rsistance
la tension engendre par les cordes sur la
table, va galement dans ce sens. Mme
s'il y a un trs lger manque dans les
basses en comparison au punch des
mdium et les aigus. La marqueterie est
trs sobre: le filet entre l'clisse et la table,
ainsi qu'entre l'clisse et le fond sont en
plastique noir avec de fines bandes
blanches. La rosace est galement en
plastique et alterne filets blancs et noirs de
diffrentes largeurs. Suivant cette logique,
les chevilles de rtention sont aussi trs
simples. Signalons enfin que sur toute
l'tendue du corps, seule la table a t
recouverte d'un verni de nitrocellulose
satine. Dans sa finition, la tte en acajou
contraste avec le reste de l'instrument. Le
logo de la marque en nacre a t incrust
sur une trs fine plaque d'bne, lui
donnant ainsi un ct classieux. Le mca-
niques Die-Cast bain d'huile tiennent trs
bien l'accord, mme aprs quelques
bends. Un attache-sangle, dans lequel
vient se greffer une prise de jack, est
install au bas de l'clisse, mais il ne
trouve malheureusement pas son double
ct manche.
PROMNONS-NOUS SUR LES BOIS
Venons-en l'essentiel: la prise en main.
Elle est excellente et ce fut un rel plaisir
pour moi de jouer cette guitare au timbre
flatteur. La jonction du manche avec la
caisse se fait la quatorzime case. Le
cutaway, trs bien ralis, permet un accs
ais dans le registre aigue de l'instrument.
Le confort de jeu est apprciable. Le
manche en C s'avre facile pour le jeu en
accords et les incursions soli dans le bas
du manche se font sans heurts. L'action
des cordes est assez basse dans les
premires cases, mais a tendence deve-
nir un peu haute au-del, ce qui peut tre
gnant pour ceux qui auraient des envies
de petruccianisme ou de satrianisme. Ceci
dit, le Truss rod du manche permet de
corriger ce point.
Le custaine est vraiment exceptionnel,
mais comme la plupart des guitares dans
cette gamme de priz, il a tendance
tourner court lorsque l'on s'aventure sur les
cordes de Si et Mi. Plus on s'enfonce dans
le manche, plus cela devient net. Le jeu en
accord dpote et la projection est assez
bluffante. C'est un bonheur de sentir la
caisse vibrer contre soi. Pour moi, qui aime
bien rentrer dans mes cordes et avoir un
son claquant, la demoiselle walden s'est
montre la hauteur de mes esperances
mme si le jeu au doigt procure un peu
moins de sensations. Dans le modle qui
nous a t prt, le Mi grave a eu tendance
friser mais un rglage permettrait de
remdier ce problme. Preuve que la
firme est sensible aux ppins de justesse,
Venons-en l'essentiel: la prise en main. Elle est excellente et
ce fut un rel plaisir pour moi de jouer cette guitare au timbre
flatteur.
on trouve une compensation du sillet
infrieur pour la note Si afin de vous garan- sont nombreux et leur prox concurrentiels.
tir le meilleur. Ne nous y mprenons pas, le Sa palette sonore est trs large et il serait
premire impression a t excellente et tonnant que vous ne trouviez pas le son
plus on joue cette guitare, plus on se sent que vous cherchez en ajustant l'galiseur.
chez soi. Sachez galement que si vous n'tes pas
accro l'lectricit, Walden propose ce
DE L'ACOUSTIQUE L'CTRO mme modle en version Folk, c'est--dire
Aussitt branche, la Walden prend une sans cutaway (la D555). Le point fort de
toute autre envergure. La belle est quipe cette guitare est incontestablement sa
d'un prampli Fishman Classic 4 compos sonorit <<unplugged>> avec une projec-
d'un galiseur (basses, mdiums, aigus), tion de son en faire plir plus d'un, voire
d'un contrle de brillance et d'un volume. mme faire complexer certaines
Elle est trs polyvalente et <<grandes>> marques. Si vous vous
l'accompagnement sembre tre son sentez l'envie d'aller essayer cette guitare,
vritable point fort. La sonorit est claire, et au final d'ouvrir votre portefeuille,
les aigus trs prsents et les basses sachez qu'elle vous sera propose avec
lgrement en reste. Aussi bien en solo une house souple DeLuxe. Encore une
que dans les arpges, ella fait ses preuves fois, pas de grande rvolution sur le plan
et se place assez bien vis--vis de la esthtique mais un instrument qui saura en
concurrence. C'est un point de rfrence taut tat de cause faire des mules: sobre
flatteur tant les modles d'entre de gamme et chaleureux. C'est l l'essentiel, non?
www.waldenguitars.com
Natura N570: Votez vert!
by Guitar Classique (France)
Hohner distribue depuis longtemps
des instruments des prix trs
raisonnables et contribue la
dmocratisation de la musique.
Cette guitare est conforme cette
dmarche honorable et indispens-
able dans le paysage de la lutherie
grand public.
La Walden Natura se prsente
sous une apparence un peu
<<colo>> apte sduire plus d'un
ou une jeune guitariste. Avec sa
robe entirement satine, la Natura
N570 a un petit air de guitare anci-
enne. Les coloris assez vieux bois
de la table et des clisses
renforcent ce look pas dsagr-
able. On a une table massive en
cdre (ou en pica au choix)
entoure d'clisses d'acajou afric-
ain. Ce mme acajou constitue le
manche, qui supporte lui-mme
une touche en palissandre de
dix-neif cases. La tte est plaque
de palissandre et quipe de
robustes et standard mcaniques
dores. La finition est simple: une
rosace assez rustique dans les
tons vert-jaune, un filet sur toutes
les bordures de table ou d'clisses,
ainsi qu'un gros filet noir sur la
sparation des deux demi-fonds.
Le barrage d'pica est en forme
de X allg. Le tout est recouvert
d'un vernis satin base de plantes
(merci pour la nature), qui semble
fin et laisse respirer le bois. La
Walden est simple et pas frimeuse.
Prise en main et sonorit
Elle s'apprivoise vite et on la sent
bien en place malgr un trs lger
excs de poids ct manche. Il est
peut-tre d au systme de
rglage dont celui-ci est quip et
auquel on accde par une vis,
visible sous la touche dans la
rosace. Certains pourront penser
que le talon est un peu trop
prononc et que les dmanchs
dans l'extrme aigu sont une ques-
tion de point de vue. Le confort est
trs satisfaissant des deux cts,
avec une action de main gauche
particulirement basse. La
contrepartie c'est qu'un jeu puis-
sant amnera un petit frisement.
Dans ce cas, nous suggrons donc
un rglage lgrement plus haut
la douzime case. En premire
position, nous avons constat un
angle pointu du sillet qui s'enfonce
dans le premier doigt en case de
barr (par exemple, sur un accord
de Si bmol Majeur). C'est un petit
problme de finition trs simple
viter, et qui se corrige d'un petit
coup de lime. La sonorit est assez
La couleur du son est plaisante, pas fatigante l'oreille, et c'est
un srieux atout pour un instrument a priori destin au dbutant.
En somme, une guitare sympathique et conomique, intres-
sante, mme si un effort reste fournir au niveau des rglages.
gnreuse et longue. En tout cas, un tui Deluxe rigide et un petit
largement suffisante pour obtenir cadeau en prime, un hydromtre
de l'expression musicale dans un Planet Waves pour prende soin de
rpertoire simple. La couleur du la belle.
son est plaisante, pas fatigante
l'oreille, et c'est un srieux atout
pour un instrument a priori destin
au dbutant. En somme, une
guitare sympathique et
conomique, intressante, mme
si un effort reste fournir au niveau
des rglages. La N570 vous sera
propose environ 180 euros avec
www.waldenguitars.com
Supranatura D2040
by Australian Musician (Australia)
Not a lot is known about Walden
guitars other than theyre designed in
the United States and built in the small
town of Lilan, China. The name
Walden is also the title of the autobiog-
raphy of Henry David Thoreau, which
is based around solitude and life in the
woods. This may have absolutely noth-
ing to do with where the company gets
its name from, but its a fitting title for
an instrument that would look right at
home in an Alaskan log cabin.
Currently the market is flooded with a
massive range of mid priced acoustic
guitars, so in order for manufacturers
to stand out they need to make guitars
that appeal to a certain calibre of
muso. The Walden D2040 is such an
instrument, with a cosmetic appeal
that sets it up more as a luxury item
than a tool to craft music with. It looked
superb straight out of the box and on
closest inspection the only flaw I
noticed was the dot-inlay was slightly
crooked at the 12th fret. A sturdy
brown leather case escorts this guitar
and it seems reasonable that any
decent acoustic should come with its
own case these days (manufacturers
take note).
The D2040 is part of Walden's Supra-
Natura series, sporting all wooden
manufacturing (including end pins) as
well as thin neck to assist with speed
and barring of chords. The tone woods
employed are a Sitka spruce top,
African mahogany body and neck, and
rosewood fingerboard.
A scalloped X bracing lies beneath
the silky spruce top for additional
strength and longevity. The Martin
Guitar Company employed this
process in the 1850s, and a scalloped
brace differs from a standard brace in
that it tends to vibrate more and
produce more bass. Older Martin
guitars feature scalloped braces,
resulting in a vintage tone that
appealed to bluegrass players.
African mahogany is becoming the
manufacturing norm as Honduras
mahogany (South American) declines
to the point of extinction. Luckily
enough deforestation laws are now
protecting this prized tone-wood for
future generations, and its African
counterpart sounds equally pleasing.
Mahogany is highly regarded for its
warm, rich tonal properties and thick
midrange and its influence on this axe
is also apparent. An ebony bridge is
used to hold a set of Daddario EXP
strings with beautifully crafted rose-
wood endpins providing the anchor,
making this guitar a certifiable timber
orgy.
The neck is also a sturdy slab of
mahogany with a rosewood fret board,
thats smooth to the touch and features
the most beautifully finished frets I
have ever come across on an acoustic
guitar. The frets were thin, smooth and
even along the entire neck and a two
way adjustable truss-rod is also routed
into the neck cavity (becoming the new
norm on acoustics) ensuring addi- smooth and not too boomy in the bum
tional stability and the ability to (bottom end). Id describe the sound
straighten the neck. as sweet with no ugly frequencies
jumping out even with an angry strum.
Gold Tortoise shell machine heads Finger style picking resulted in rich,
adorn a sleek headstock, and the smoky overtones that would sit great in
travel on the strings is flawless from a jazz track.
bridge to tuner without any annoying
chinks when tuning. A bone nut and This guitar's only real setback is a lack
saddle are superb additions adding to of volume, which can be an issue if you
some already great sustain and the decide to use it live or are fighting to be
setup would have been perfect for me heard when its your solo. The thin neck
if the action wasnt so high. To top it off, makes barring chords a tad easier but,
the satin nitrocellulose finish on this the action is too high for Al Di Meola
instrument is superb, with no risk of style shredding if thats your calling.
oily finger-prints or sweat stains being
left behind like on gloss surfaces. However, for an RRP of $795 you get a
quality acoustic guitar with a sturdy
Okay, a lot has been said about how case that plays wonderfully, looks
great this guitar looks and feels, now fantastic, sounds great, with the only
lets get to the important stuff. Whats issue being volume. If you need a
the tone like? great acoustic to play in your apart-
ment or record with, then Id recom-
First off, the tone is very balanced, mend the Walden D2040 to you.
www.waldenguitars.com
Natura G630CE Review
by Australian Guitar (Australia)
(SOLID TOP) GRAND AUDITORIUM
ACOUSTIC WITH CUTAWAY & PICKUP
Walden is a manufacturer of "affordable"
guitars. Those few words can make you
run for the hills or see real bargain poten-
tial. Review by Will Beecham
Every now and then when the Australian
Guitar staff hand me a guitar to be
reviewed they ask me straight up 'how
much do you think it's worth?" It's a good
test because it only takes a few minutes to
formulate an immediate opinion of an
instrument, but much longer to make
sense of it and write it down, which also
gives you a chance for much more playing
time.
At first I guessed into 4 figures as I saw the
grand auditorium shape, Fishman pickup,
solid top, gold tuners and a reasonable
sound. Needless to say I was surprised to
hear my guess was almost double the
actual price of this guitar.
BACKGROUND
Your average guitar lover will know a one
or two sentence background to a lot of the
common guitar manufactures, so here's
one to add to your mental list. The
company Walden came into existence
around 12 years ago and is the result of
two American luthiers designing guitars
then sending them to China to be put
together. The company actually doing the
cutting, bending and gluing is not new to
the game, they've been making instru-
ments since as far back as the 1930's. You
might already be starting to draw conclu-
sions about craftsmanship and guitar
royalty lineage, so if you're the kind of
person that won't buy any guitar that
hasn't been sneezed on by an age old
luthier wood worker in Alabama then keep
on walking.
ALL ABOUT
The Grand Auditorium shape has immedi-
ate benefits of being light and easy to play
standing or sitting, the size a little more
manageable than a dreadnought or
jumbo.
Up on the headstock the tuners are gold
and die cast and the Walden logo unobtru-
sive and classy with a pearl finish. The
binding and inlays bring a bit of flair to an
otherwise plain design and the pick-guard
follows the shape of the cutaway and
sound hole. There is no denying that as far
as looks, they got it very right with this
guitar. Build quality is also impressive with
no obvious bleed of the stain or lacquer
and all the joins tight and even.
The even grain of the laminated back and
sides adds aesthetic appeal to the other-
wise plain finish and the bracing internally
is finely cut and lacks rough edges and
tool scoring marks that you sometimes
see in less expensive mass produced
acoustic guitars.
The guitar sits halfway on Walden's lineup,
as part of the 'natura' finish line. They
claim the wood will age and mature the
more and the longer that you play it,
changing to match the style of your
playing. The first point is likely true but in
all honesty an ivory saddle and neck nut to
replace the stock plastic items would go
along way to sweetening the tone of this
guitar.
without pickups quite limited, this factory
PLAYING IT fitted system opens up the instrument to
many more buyers, and while the tone
How each strings tone and volume is plugged in isn't considerably sweet, it cuts
balanced on an acoustic guitar can make through a band mix well enough.
a big difference to what you use it for,
some guitars with a spectacular low end THE BOTTOM LINE
may sound tinny and weak up top. Like
other features of this guitar, Walden have With instruments at this price point, it all
found a good middle ground and extracted comes down to value for money and how
about as much low end that is possible out many features can be packaged up into a
of a typical grand auditorium shape. product that attracts buyers. With guitars
Typically, the mids are the most prominent however, you have that trump card that it
of the sonic spectrum meaning fingerpick- must sound and feel good, we all know
ing, picked chords and the odd solo sound that can be different from one guitar to the
fine, but I wouldn't be using this as an next that came off the same production
open chord strumming machine, it line.
responds better to a gentle touch than to a
smashing with a 2mm thick Dunlop. This guitar immediately impressed me and
even after a number of days of playing it, I
The Fishman pickup system installed on couldn't fault it in any game-ending sort of
this guitar is the same that is used on way. I consider a grand auditorium style
many other (and some more expensive) guitar much harder for manufacturers to
guitars and is your usual peizo under the get right, as you can't just replace tone
bridge type design with a 9 volt powered and balance with sheer volume attainable
preamp. You get treble, mids, bass and on other types of guitar designs. Walden
brilliance controls along with volume and a have done an impressive job with this
low battery warning light. I wouldn't say model, putting a great shape, look and
that it adds anything to the sound of the pickup system into the hands of people
guitar, but I consider cheaper guitars with a limited budget.
www.waldenguitars.com