Year & specific model: 2003 GAD-25
Purchased new or used: New (still in original packaging on Ebay)
Price paid: 599
Build quality: 10. On first inspection it looked flawless. The wood binding was gorgeous and well executed. I installed a pickup a few days ago and inspected the inside. It was also flawless. No glue drips or loose purfling.
Looks: 10. Everyone comments on how beautiful the wood is. Need I say more?
Projection: 10. This particular guitar floors every player that gives it a whirl in this category. The other guitarist in my band played it when I got it and his first comment was how the sound just seemed to JUMP out of the guitar. I agree with his comments.
Bass
Mids
Highs
Not sure how to rate these separately, however, it should suffice it to say that it is one of the most balanced guitars I've ever played. The string to string articulation is incredible. Its got gobs of Bass, a gorgeous amount of Mids, and sweet, singing highs. Hammer-ons and pull offs ring out well within thick five and six-string chords.
Sustain: 8.5. The sustain is more than sufficient. It won't sustain indefinitely
P), but longer than most any guitar that I've played.
Playability/comfort: 8. Action could be a smidge lower, but it's not high by any means. The neck is comfortable, not too thin, but not too chunky. It took some getting used to since its radically different than the neck on my other guitars, but I've come to love that neck. I believe it's my favorite or very close to.
Dependability I've had it for a couple weeks so I can't really comment on that, but it seems like it should hold up as well as any other acoustic.
Fingerstyle 9: Delicate fingerpicked lines sound gorgeous on this guitar. The Khaya body is both bright and warm and at low volumes is smooth as silk. Very balanced at low volumes. The bass doesn't overpower the rest of the guitar nor does it get lost when played softly.
Flatpick 9. Great flat-picking tone. The overarching balance of this guitar makes bluegrass just come alive.
Strum 9. Great full tone while strumming. It breaks up nicely at higher volumes giving it that bluesy grit. Soft strums sound delicate but full. Medium to loud strumming has good volume and each string can be heard in the strum, which was a nice surprise.
Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Well it was new, I'd sure hope it was mint. Lol. It was.
Favorite Strings (one selection only): Dunlop Phosphor Bronze Mediums. I will never go back to the D'addarios that were on this originally. I've always used D'addarios, but on this particular guitar, they just don't have as good of balance. The Dunlops highlight the richness of the bass and highs in a way that is almost magical.
Would you buy another if lost/sold: Absolutely. This has a tone that is just beautiful. Better than any other "Hog" I've played, and at a mere $600.... It's practically a steal. I would NOT however, buy the newer model (the GAD-125). The neck on the older model is much better, and the inlay on the headstock makes the guitar look much more deluxe.
Overall Assessment: I give it full marks. 10/10, an A+! This guitar has the sound that I've always wanted. The workmanship is great. The look is fantastic. People love it and I love it. And at such a good price, how could one be unsatisfied?
Most Appreciated Characteristic: The tonal balance and articulation.
Least Appreciated: The case that it came with wasn't glued correctly so some of the tweed was coming off. I had to reglue it my self.
Favorite GAD Series Guitar Story/Moment: When I showed my bandmates my new guitar and their eyes widened, their jaws dropped open and they were captivated by its sheer beauty. lol
Other observations/comments:I'm glad that I got the older model. It also sounds really good with a L.R. Baggs M1 active pickup in it. That's what I'm using live and I'm very satisfied.