Lucero LC230S – Exotic Warm Beauty

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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Lucero have made a name for themselves in the classical guitar market with affordable quality models that both look and sound great. Their LC230S is a fine example of this, making use of both solid and exotic woods in the body construction. Beginners will be tempted by the wallet-friendly price, although guitarists of all abilities will be enchanted by its unique style and tone. Let’s see what’s on offer.

Body & Neck

For such an affordable guitar, this nylon-stringed model sports some very impressive materials – tonewoods you don’t usually see on an acoustic guitar under $300. Most notably, the use of exotic bubinga on the back and sides, with a swirling bronze grain that gives this guitar a premium, eye-catching look. The top is made from a piece of solid red cedar, which is equally impressive to look at and listen to. The traditional non-cutaway body features a 25.5” scale length, rosewood binding, all-wood rosette, and a natural gloss finish, as well as a sleek and comfortable one-piece mahogany neck joined to the body at the 12th fret. This is lovely to play, and has an Indian rosewood fretboard with 19 frets and a truss rod. The LC230S really impresses when it comes to style, and feels very well built. Even though it’s made in Asia, these guitars are set-up and inspected in Lucero’s American headquarters.

Hardware

The body of the LC230S steals the show, so the hardware takes a back seat, especially with no electronics to talk about. However, you get everything you need and it performs well. This includes a good quality Indian rosewood bridge, as well as six open-gear chrome tuners on the slotted headstock. Like the majority of Lucero models, the LC230S comes strung with D’Addario EJ45 ProArte strings as standard, which are a comfortable and well-balanced set.

Sound

The good news is that the LC230S’s sound lives up to its exotic high-end looks. Finding a solid top on a sub-$300 guitar is a bonus and the tone of the instrument benefits, with greater resonance than an all-laminate model. The red cedar offers a mellow, warm tone that gets better with age, while the lesser-known bubinga (dense and hard, similar to rosewood) used for the rest of the body emphasizes the warmth further.

Conclusion

Ultimately this impressive Lucero looks, feels and sounds like a model twice the price. The bubinga provides the LC230S with a classy high-end look and a little flair, while the solid red cedar allows the guitar to sing and age with grace. Being made in Asia shouldn’t put many people off, especially when the set-up is carried out in North America. Whatever your skill level or aspirations, the LC230S is a worthy choice.

For more info about the Lucero LC230S, click here.
For more acoustic guitars under 300$, click here.