Luna Guitars is a company that specializes in building musical instruments, namely acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukeleles of various types, as well as acoustic and electric basses.
They also manufacture cajones, a percussion instrument used in several music genres. It was founded in 2005 by Yvonne de Villiers, and its current headquarters are in Tampa, Florida. The founder is also a stained glass artist, but she was inspired by her mother, a bass player, to start a musical instrument brand.
The guitars made by Luna generally aren't very expensive, with their most costly model at a price point of around $800. However, their quality control department is competent.
The brand itself makes a real effort to stay in touch with the customers and brand enthusiasts, which is a great thing when compared to giant brands where it is difficult to speak to a real person who represents them.
This Luna Guitars Brand guide will show you all there is to know about this exciting brand, give you suggestions of models you might be interested in, and even explore other options worth looking at within the same price range!
Bottom Line Up Front: Luna Guitars are made with comfort in mind, and some of their details will allow you to play freely for long periods of time without pain or discomfort. I have to say that from their vast collection of amazing guitars, I fell in love with the Luna Vista Eagle Koa.
Apart from being a gorgeous guitar, its Grand Auditorium body shape paired with an exquisite combination of woods and a great preamp system inspire confidence in the most demanding guitarists.
Luna Vista Eagle Koa | Amazon
Who among us has never dreamed of soaring high and free above the world upon which we're bound? The Vista Eagle lets your imagination take wing against a blazing sky, high above a variegated plain.
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Guitar Center
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/09/2024 03:38 am GMT
What Features Can You Expect to See on Luna Guitars?
Luna Guitars is all about comfort and playability. This is why you will find slim necks on every guitar. Chunky necks make it harder for players to play specific voicings and navigate certain parts of the fretboard. Using a slimmer neck profile makes their necks suitable for hands of all kinds and ages.
Many Luna Guitars feature stunning visuals too. They use gorgeous woods like koa, solid tops, beautiful inlay designs that adorn the entire fretboard. Some guitars even have unique artwork on the top that is certain to grab people's attention anywhere.
Suppose you need to plug in your guitar to an amp or a PA system. In that case, many of their options include a Fishman pickup. The Heartsong Series even consists of a built-in tuner and USB output so that you can record your guitar directly into your preferred DAW on your computer.
You can find several body shapes that produce different tones, a few 12-string guitars, exotic appointments rarely seen in this price range. Still, you know that regardless of your choice, you are getting a quality instrument that should play nicely out of the box without having to shell out an enormous amount of money.
Which Type of Guitarist are Luna Guitars Best Suited for?
One of the best things about Luna Guitars is that they have a wide range of options suitable for beginners to professional musicians who need a reliable instrument for their craft.
For instance, they offer a variety of 3/4 guitars ideal for children. Their Gypsy line also has excellent instruments for students and people with smaller hands in general.
Overall, Luna Guitars feature slim necks that should feel comfortable to anyone, regardless of the instrument they are used to playing daily. This also helps those who need to play for long periods of time without suffering from any muscular or articulation pain.
In summary, the important thing is to know your needs and figure out which of Luna Guitars' series features what suit you best. If you need a solid, consistent instrument, you should look at their more exquisite options, such as the Artist Series, Vista Series, or the Flora Series.
It helps tremendously to try out a few guitars side-by-side before purchasing. You can't know if a guitar is the right choice for you most of the time by reading the spec sheet and watching a few videos.
My Favorite Picks from Luna Guitars
This section will feature some of my favorite picks from the guitars that Luna currently offers. This selection includes instruments with different price tags, materials, and other features.
The Wabi Sabi Series is Luna's most adequate range of guitars for beginner guitarists, as they are affordable yet reliable. They are one of the only options on the market featuring a solid top in this price range, the desired feature on any acoustic guitar.
This guitar's most appealing specifications include a solid spruce top, Pau Ferro fingerboard, a Graph Tech Nu Bone nut, and a satin finish.
Main Features
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Pau Ferro
- Saddle & Nut: Graph Tech Nu Bone
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 20
- Pickup: None
- Others: Non-cutaway body; Satin finish
Pros
- Solid top: having a solid top at such an affordable price point is one of the most significant selling points of the Wabi Sabi Series.
- Saddle & Nut: it is worth mentioning that while some guitars feature plastic parts, this one has a bone nut and saddle, a significant improvement.
Cons
- No cutaway: this is not a disadvantage if you are not interested in having access to the upper frets, but some players like to have that possibility.
Price
The Luna Wabi Sabi can generally be found at a price point of around $220.
The Gypsy 12 String is an interesting option from Luna's range because it is an affordable 12-string guitar. It's great for someone who doesn't want to invest a lot of money on a guitar that probably won't be their main instrument.
Main Features
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Mahogany
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Saddle & Nut: ABS Plastic
- Scale Length: 25.6"
- Frets: 20
- Pickup: None
- Others: 12 strings, Soundhole decoration
Pros
- Affordable: this guitar is an excellent option for those looking to get a 12-string without having to spend too much money.
- Design: the mahogany construction and soundhole decoration make this a very visually appealing guitar.
Cons
- No preamp: this guitar can only be played acoustically, which might be an inconvenience to guitarists who want to be able to plug into an amplifier.
Price
The Luna Gypsy 12 String is sold at an affordable price in the $220 range.
Another model from the Wabi Sabi Series, the Grand Concert, features a Luna pickup to plug your guitar into an amplifier, PA system, or directly into your sound card.
Like all Wabi Sabi guitars, the Grand Concert features a solid top. It also includes a zen brush stroke rosette that gives it a distinctive look.
Main Features
- Body: Grand Concert
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Pau Ferro
- Saddle & Nut: Plastic
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 20
- Pickup: Luna RD-0904TL
- Others: Satin finish, Zen brush stroke rosette
Pros
- Solid top: like the other Wabi Sabi Series guitars, this instrument features a solid top, a great perk for this price range.
- Preamp: contrary to the Wabi Sabi Dreadnought, this model features a preamp system.
Cons
- No case: while it might be a way to keep retail prices more affordable, it would be nice to include a case with the guitar.
Price
This guitar is usually sold at a price of around $300, depending on the Luna Guitars authorized dealer you visit.
Luna Wabi Sabi Grand Concert | Amazon
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese philosophy that embraces imperfection. Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, irregularity, simplicity, economy and appreciation of the organic nature of natural objects.
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Guitar Center
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/09/2024 03:32 am GMT
The defining feature of the Luna Heartsong Series is the innovative Fishman Isys+ USB pickup, which allows you to record your ideas and songs conveniently with no hassles.
Aside from the Grand Concert, this series also features other body shapes such as Parlos, Folk, and a 12-string version of the Grand Concert.
Main Features
- Body: Grand Concert
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Saddle & Nut: Plastic
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 21
- Pickup: Fishman Isys+ USB
- Others: 2 Band EQ, Tuner, and Phase Switch
Pros
- Innovative pickup: the Fishman Isys+ USB is one of this guitar's most exciting features, giving you the tools to record more conveniently than ever.
- Inlays: the pearloid inlays on the fretboard make up for a subtle but tasteful look.
Cons
- Saddle & Nut: at this price point, it would have been fair to introduce a nicer material such as bone.
Price
The Luna Heartsong Grand Concert is sold for around $359, making it an exciting option for an acoustic guitar below $400.
The Art Vintage Parlor may look more compact than most body shapes, but it does not sacrifice tone at all. It is comfortable to play and easy to carry, making a great guitar for rehearsals and gigs.
Some of its most interesting details include a Pau Ferro bridge, a Fishman Presys II preamp system, and a bone nut.
Main Features
- Body: Parlor
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Eastern Mahogany
- Neck: Eastern Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Laurel
- Saddle & Nut: Bone
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 20
- Pickup: Fishman Presys II
- Others: EQ and Tuner
Pros
- Comfort: the Parlor body is a great shape for those who need a compact guitar that is easy to carry around and comfortable to play.
- Inlays: the pearloid moon phase inlays found on this guitar give it a unique look without being too flashy.
Cons
- Limited finish options: it would be interesting to see this guitar available in other finishes, even though the distressed vintage brownburst looks great on it.
Price
The Luna Art Vintage Parlor is frequently found for a price of around $400.
One of the most appealing options from Luna's catalog, this guitar features an all-koa body with a mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard. This wood combination gives it a distinct sound, but it is paired with nylon strings for a different character.
You can find a Fishman Classica II preamp on this guitar, should you want to plug it into an amp or a PA system. It also features a built-in EQ and a tuner.
Main Features
- Body: Folk
- Top: Koa
- Back & Sides: Koa
- Neck: Eastern Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Saddle & Nut: Bone
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 20
- Pickup: Fishman Classica II
- Others: Dual Action Truss Rod
Pros
- Woods: an all-koa construction makes for a visually attractive guitar, and it also sounds unique.
- Vine inlays: the unique vine inlays that decorate the entire fretboard of this guitar look stunning and will surely grab everyone's attention.
Cons
- No case: it would be great to see a case included with this guitar since it is already in the $700 range.
Price
You can generally find this beautiful guitar for around $700.
Luna Vineyard Koa Bevel Nylon | Guitar Center
The Luna Guitars Vineyard Koa nylon-string folk acoustic-electric guitar is inspired by the lush vineyards from Italy to California, built with precision craftsmanship and quality features to support the growth of your sound.
Check Price
Buy at Sweetwater
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The Luna Vista Eagle Koa is a stunning guitar with a gorgeous combination of 5 kinds of wood that creates a unique artwork at its top. The back and sides are koa, which looks and sounds great.
You can plug this guitar in since it features a preamp with a tuner. It also includes a hardshell case to keep your guitar safe.
Main Features
- Body: Grand Auditorium
- Top: Nivingui, Padauk, Bubinga, Koa & Spalt Maple
- Back & Sides: Koa
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Bridge: Ebony
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 21
- Pickup: B-Band T55
- Others: Included Hardshell Case
Pros
- Top wood design: the exquisite combination of woods seen on this guitar culminates in a fantastic design that you don't see every day.
- Included case: it is nice to see that Luna consists of a hardshell case with this guitar to keep it safe in any situation.
Cons
- Preamp choice: while the one seen on this guitar is alright, Luna has more interesting preamp choices in other instruments with similar price tags.
Price
You should be able to find the Luna Vista Eagle in authorized Luna dealers for around $750.
Luna Vista Eagle Koa | Amazon
Who among us has never dreamed of soaring high and free above the world upon which we're bound? The Vista Eagle lets your imagination take wing against a blazing sky, high above a variegated plain.
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Guitar Center
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/09/2024 03:38 am GMT
The Flora Rose is one of Luna's most eye-catching designs. Its quilt maple top and rose artwork look fantastic, and this guitar's construction quality lives up to its looks.
It comes with a Fishman Isys+ with a 2-band EQ, a tuner, and a phase switch. Unfortunately, this guitar does not come with a hardshell case, like others in the same price range.
Main Features
- Body: Folk
- Top: Quilt Maple
- Back & Sides: Maple
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Saddle & Nut: Plastic
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 21
- Pickup: Fishman Side-mounted Preamp
- Others: 2 Band EQ, Tuner, Phase Switch
Pros
- Top wood: as if the quilt maple top wasn't good-looking enough, the rose artwork easily sets this guitar apart from the rest.
- Maple body: an all-maple body gives this guitar a distinctive sound from most Luna Guitars that frequently feature spruce and mahogany.
Cons
- Saddle & Nut: at this price point, better material than plastic should have been used.
Price
The Luna Flora Rose is generally found with a price tag of around $800.
The 12-string version of the Vista Eagle is Luna's best-performing guitar with this configuration. Aside from the amazing looks granted by the exquisite wood combination, you get all the harmonic richness and sparkle that everyone loves hearing from 12-string guitars.
The Concert body provides ample projection, volume, and definition, making this an excellent guitar for strumming and fingerpicking. It also comes with a hardshell case.
Main Features
- Body: Concert
- Top: Rosewood, Zebrawood, Paduk, Bird's Eye Maple, Ebony
- Back & Sides: Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Saddle & Nut: Bone
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 21
- Pickup: Fishman Undersaddle Piezo
- Others: Included Hardshell Case
Pros
- Design: this is one of Luna's most elaborate designs, featuring a combination of 5 different woods for the top.
- Included case: it is great to see that Luna decided to include a hardshell case with the 12-string Vista Eagle.
Cons
- Tuning stability: some players have a few things to say about keeping the guitar in tune, but 12-strings are inherently trickier than regular guitars in regards to tuning.
Price
The gorgeous Luna Vista Eagle 12-String acoustic guitar is usually sold for around $800.
The Luna Flora Moonflower is one of the most exquisite guitars from the brand and one of the priciest too. It features a gorgeous quilt maple top with a unique floral artwork alongside the soundhole and flower inlays that decorate the fretboard.
Other unique features found on this guitar include an ebony fretboard, Grover tuners, a quality preamp from Fishman with a 2-band EQ tuner, and a phase switch.
Main Features
- Body: Dreadnought
- Top: Quilt Maple
- Back & Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Shape: C Shape
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Saddle & Nut: Graph Tech Nu Bone
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Frets: 21
- Pickup: Fishman Side-mounted Preamp
- Others: 2 Band EQ, Tuner, Phase Switch
Pros
- Tuners: the Grover tuners on this guitar are an excellent way to help keep it in tune as much as possible.
- Fretboard: the ebony fretboard on the Flora Moonflower complements the guitar perfectly, visually and tonally.
Cons
- No case: considering that this guitar costs almost $1000, a hardshell case would be a fine addition.
Price
The Luna Flora Moonflower, one of Luna's most expensive guitars, is sold for around $900.
Other Brands to Take Into Account if You Like Luna Guitars
Even though there are many exciting options available from Luna Guitar on the market, many other brands manufacture instruments that have significant value within the same price range.
Some of the brands discussed in this section also have expensive guitars that can cost twice the amount as some of Luna's models. Still, they also make affordable instruments for a very fair price. Check below for some of my favorite picks:
Fender
While it is true that most of Fender's fame is due to their electric guitars, such as the legendary Stratocaster and Telecaster, they also make great acoustic guitars, and some are not very expensive either.
Within the same price range as most Luna Guitars, you can find a variety of wood combinations, body shapes, and other interesting features. Here are some examples of Fender acoustic guitars that you might like:
Takamine
Takamine Guitars have a massive variety in the same price range as Luna Guitars. They also have more premium instruments, but their more affordable guitars' quality-to-price ratio is excellent.
Their guitars are designed in Japan and built there, in China and Korea. Check out a few interesting choices from Takamine below:
Epiphone
Epiphone is Gibson's subsidiary brand. If you are on a tight budget, these are an excellent option for fans of classic designs like the J-45. While Gibson acoustics generally cost more than $1k, you can find many Epiphone acoustic guitars that sound great for a fraction of that price.
Here are a few suggestions of acoustic guitars from Epiphone that you should try out if you have the chance:
Yamaha
Yamaha has been building musical instruments for decades, and their acoustic guitars should not be overlooked. They cover a wide range of prices, but the more affordable ones are worth considering if you are on a budget.
Check my picks out of Yamaha acoustic guitars that offer great value for the price:
Ibanez
Ibanez has been a famous name in the music industry for a long time. They are responsible for designing some of the most iconic pieces of music gear, such as the Ibanez JEM guitars and the Tube Screamer pedals.
Additionally, they also have a very interesting range of acoustic guitars that look and sound great without breaking the bank. Many of them feature a modern aesthetic that you might enjoy, but they have more traditional options.
Take a look at these two acoustic guitars from Ibanez:
Cort Guitars
Cort Guitars was founded in 1973 in South Korea, and it has become one of the world's biggest guitar manufacturers. They build guitars in Korea, Indonesia, and China and work for different brands.
They have a large and varied range of acoustic guitars that should meet the needs of any player. Check below for a few examples of Cort acoustic guitars that are worth trying out:
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Luna Guitars
Question: Where is Luna Guitars Manufactured?
Answer: Every instrument from Luna Guitars is manufactured either in China or in South Korea. They are designed in the United States of America and the United Kingdom by Yvonne de Villiers (its founder) and Alex Morgan.
After an instrument is completed, it is shipped to Luna Guitars' headquarters in Tampa, Florida, inspected, and set up by a qualified technician. It is shipped to an authorized dealer, guaranteeing that every product hits the stores in the best possible condition.
Question: Why Should I Buy a Luna Guitar?
Answer: Luna Guitars is worth considering if you're in the market for a new acoustic guitar for several reasons. Their instruments are manufactured using traditional and modern techniques that produce guitars that sound just as great as they look.
Visually, they are very appealing and feature artwork rarely found on any guitars, much less within an affordable price range like theirs.
Lastly, they are thoroughly inspected in the brand's headquarters in the USA before being sent to their dealers. Ensuring that the guitar is as playable as possible when it gets to your hands
Question: What Does Luna Guitars Specialize in?
Answer: Like the brand's name implies, Luna specializes in guitars, specifically acoustics. However, they also manufacture other instruments such as ukeleles, basses, cajones, and bluegrass instruments such as banjos and mandolins.
Their guitars are known for their unique artwork, slim, comfortable necks, and valuable features for the recording and performing guitarist.
Question: Who are Some of the Musicians who Play Luna Guitars?
Answer: Many players around the globe can be seen playing instruments by Luna Guitars, both in the studio and on stage. Here is a small list of musicians who this brand endorsed:
• Aubrey Wollett
• Charlotte Campbell
• Emma Stevens
• Denise Rosier
• Gavyn Bailey
• Emma Lane
• Kyle Biss
• Pipo Torres
• Pamela Praniuk
• Leo Lindsey
You should listen to some of these artists' records and live performances if you are curious about hearing Luna instruments in action.
Question: What are Other Brands Besides Luna Guitars Worth Checking Out within the Same Price Range?
Answer: In today's market, there are many brands with a wide variety of guitars to choose from, which can make a trip to the guitar store a bit overwhelming.
Luna Guitars has lots of good instruments with a conscious price tag. Still, several other guitar makers deserve some attention the next time you're at your local store. Here are a few examples:
• Epiphone
• Squier
• Ibanez
• Yamaha
• Cort
• Sigma
• Fender
• Tanglewood
• Takamine
• Guild
Some of the brands mentioned above have instruments for all budgets. For instance, Fender makes guitars priced above $1000, but they also make affordable instruments for less than half of that, and they're pretty good for what they cost.
Question: What are Some of the Best Options from the Luna Guitars Catalog?
Closing Considerations about Luna Guitars
As you have surely realized by now, Luna Guitars is a brand that deserves the attention of any guitarist in the market for an affordable but reliable acoustic guitar.
Apart from the unique visuals, they feature on the top of their instruments. After a thorough inspection by Luna's technicians, they are built to last and they should arrive at your hands in playing condition.
Make sure to check out a few of their guitars the next time you drop by your local music shop and you might be surprised!
Luna Vista Eagle Koa | Amazon
Who among us has never dreamed of soaring high and free above the world upon which we're bound? The Vista Eagle lets your imagination take wing against a blazing sky, high above a variegated plain.
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Guitar Center
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/09/2024 03:38 am GMT