Oscar Schmidt O315 – Affordable Travel Companion

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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As one of the top representatives of cheap travel guitars, the O315 model from Oscar Schmidt brings in an interesting mixture of affordability, punch and a strong classical guitar vibe.

This instrument is a mixture of traditional values and exotic tonewood, an experiment that turned out quite nicely for the manufacturer, bringing them plenty of kudos and new customers from all around the music sphere. We took the fella our for a test run and summed up our thoughts in the review below. Let's go!

Body & Neck

Focusing on that exotic tonewood aspect first, we'll point out that the six-string utilizes a trembesi body with a classic spruce top. This tonewood combo secures a vintage sound that makes the six-string reminiscent of those '20s classical guitar with plenty of mid-range punch, clarity and brightness.

As for the neck, we are looking at a smooth and strong piece of mahogany. Mahogany is knows for being sturdy, making the neck less prone to bending, which is particularly handy for travel guitars. Additionally, the guitar utilizes a standard rosewood fingerboard with 18 frets and classic white dot markers.

In the aesthetic department, that '20s classical guitar vibe feels even stronger thanks to that classy natural finish, the neck's vibe, that old-school headstock and several other details such as the rosewood bridge. If vintage is your thing, this is a valid choice.

Hardware

The tuners on this thing are really top-level, and we have to say we were pleasantly surprised by how well they hold the tuning in position. People don't usually pay attention to tuners until they face a set of lousy ones. Only then do they begin to appreciate the convenience of a stable tuning we all tend to take for granted.

Other notable features of the instrument include the aforementioned rosewood bridge, inlaid and celluloid-bound top and bottom edges, engraved sound holes, and a decorated double-circle rosette.

Sound

As noted, this is a vintage instrument that offers a sonic throwback to the golden age of classical acoustic guitar. Everything about it was made to seem old-school, although a prominent infusion of modern values in the sonic mix.

Overall, we are looking at a bright, light, and very much middles-driven attack pack with punch and great clarity. Not to say that the basses aren't present in the mix to round up the audio attack, but the accent is clearly on the higher registry.

Also, please note that this is not just some cheap knockoff of the classic sound. Even if it was just a copy, it would still be a good deal for this price, but it simply isn't, as the sound is far more well rounded than it was back in the old days. In a nutshell, good stuff!

Value/Conclusion

When the line is drawn, this instrument offers a top value for money. Not only is the price tag fair, but it's a bargain. So if vintage travel guitars are your thing, this is one of the best deals on the market. As long as you are after a solid parlor six-string within the listed price range, the Oscar Schmidt O315 is a deal you cannot regret making. Thumbs up!

For more info about the Oscar Schmidt O315, click here.
For more top travel acoustic guitars, click here.