Composote Acoustics "Woody" from Summer NAMM

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

This prototype Composite Acoustics Legacy with Rosewood veneer top was on display at Summer NAMM. What do you guys think?

[Fixedgear60]

Very cool... Looks like a satin finish... Do they take a similar approach as Emerald and is purely cosmetic and no changes in both tone and durability?

I am really happy to see that CA is moving into some innovation. This particular prototype suffers by comparison with other woodies, but it is a start. Part of the suffering is due to an apparent attempt to mimic a traditional wood top, rather than dance with some of the marvelous veneers that are available, veneers that are clearly wood but not my grandfathers guitar tops.

I like the prototype and think it opens up some interesting options for CA. I also really like that CA and Ted are giving the folks on this forum the chance to have a look and weigh in on its looks.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by Fixedgear60

Very cool... Looks like a satin finish... Do they take a similar approach as Emerald and is purely cosmetic and no changes in both tone and durability?

Changing the soundboard material will always have some affect on the tone, there is no getting around that, but Peavey has huge resources so if they feel there is a market for a woody, I am sure they will be able to minimize that affect. There should be no change in durability.

[kramster]

Pretty cool looking.

[jdinco]

I agree with Evan, great to see these options become available, this is not one of the better looking ones and the barn door distracts from the look. Kinda looks like a formica coffee table with a hole in it to be honest. Can only improve.... great start.

[Long Jon]

Fugly, sorry Ted , but you asked what we thought and I don't like it much at all.

[Doubleneck]

I don't know why I don't like it but I don't? Not sure the sound hole looks right? Maybe if it were a burst?

[Backcountry]

I think it'd look better with some sort of light-colored purfling. And lighter materials in the rosette. The whole thing is just too dark as is fo rmy taste.

Not to mention the barndoor...haven't we outgrown those?

[Earl49]

Good concept, perhaps a sub-optimal choice of veneer and / or rosette. My initial reaction was mostly positive.
I see this as a gateway for those who are maybe carbon-phobic, letting them cross over to the "dark" side. "Hey look, it's wood".

I'm basically OK with barn door electronics (possible exception -- really nice koa sides) but I see the point. The last three guitars I have bought did not have electronics.

[JasonA]

Yeah, the rosette doesn't work with it, it should have the appearance of binding of some sort, and if you're going to do a veneer can't you at least bookmatch it? Not that I'm overly critical or anything...

[Captain Jim]

Umm... no one will confuse it with the original CF/woody maker. Sorry, but it doesn't look ready for primetime.

[Jimmy Koh]

Honestly, with the capacity of CA, they can definitely do a better job with a prototype, if they are serious about getting into the game. A book matched top or something alike is very common in the market.

Anyway it's all good. It gets reviewed here, and I am looking forward to better things coming!

Now how about a woody Cargo?

We are a great focus group. I congratulate CA for putting this out for critique. That is just way cool.

[bizango1]

CA has some very heavy competition from the maker with too many frets and the soundhole in the wrong place (I'm being facetious-I love my std finish one and mug). I could talk my wife into ordering one of those glossy woodies just for wall art. I appreciate the understated look of the CA but for a show proto it seems like they would want to do something over the top and create a positive buzz.