If you looked up the definition of “steal” in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of the Orangewood Manhattan right next to it.
Why?
Well, because this wonderfully made guitar is so affordable, it’s a steal!
For less than $200, you can get your hands on an acoustic guitar that’s beautifully made from Orangewood guitars. This acoustic has your typical classic acoustic look, but it also gives you the same play and feel as an acoustic you’d have to spend a lot more money on.
But what about the sound? And is this a good guitar for someone who has any prior guitar experience?
If you’re anything like me, you probably are suspicious about this guitar after seeing the price tag. I’ve only ever spent around $130 on guitars that ended up being crap. I think the last time I spent $130 on a guitar, I ended up cracking the body two weeks later.
Of course, I couldn’t just let myself stay curious. So, I ended up ordering and testing out the Orangewood Manhattan for myself.
Bottom Line Upfront
Overall, I’m really impressed with the Orangewood Manhattan acoustic guitar. This is a powerful dreadnought, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who is taking their guitar Journey seriously or isn’t looking for their first acoustic guitar.
Manhattan delivers a bold tone that makes a perfect first impression. The dreadnought look and the full-tone is a timeless classic.
The Build
The Manhattan by Orangewood is a dreadnought-style guitar, so you’re guaranteed to get a lot of ‘bang’ for your buck in terms of the sound production. Part of the reason why this guitar is so cheap is that it’s made up of laminate.
The top wood is made from layered spruce, while the sides and the back are made up of layered mahogany. Moving onto the neck, you’ll find mahogany used again. Both the bridge and the fretboard are made from Purple Heart (a type of wood).
There are chrome die-cast tuners installed on this guitar body. With a 25.5-inch scale and a C-shaped neck, the Manhattan will be comfortable for nearly everybody to hold. I would say if you have huge hands, you may find this to be a little uncomfortable to grab onto.
There’s Scalloped X bracing and a 43mm nut width on the bone nut and saddle. As far as the finish, you’ll find a natural satin finish to top off the entire guitar.
Keep in mind that this guitar is very, very affordable. There isn’t anything fancy, flashy, or unique about the physical build of this guitar. It packs its surprise in how the guitar sounds (and, of course, the price tag for this guitar). So, if you’re someone looking for a guitar that’s going to wow a crowd based on the instrument’s physical build, I wouldn’t say this is the guitar for you.
But, I think this guitar’s simplicity is great for beginners. After all, with the price tag on this guitar, I think it would be an excellent fit for anyone looking for their first guitar. There isn’t anything too flashy on this guitar (which could cause distractions for any littles looking to learn how to play).
Also, the truss rod is adjustable. I would highly recommend adjusting the truss rod when you get it out of the box. Orangewood even gives you the tools to adjust the truss rod yourself.
Sound
Want your guitar to sound like a spring sunrise? The timbre on this guitar is bright!
If you don’t know much about guitars, that’s okay. Basically, the sound this guitar produces is bright and focuses on the ‘highs’ on the guitar. You won’t get that dark and deep timbre a lot of other dreadnoughts have. So, if you’re looking for a cheap buy with a moody feel to it, I don’t think this would be the best match for you.
But it’s got an excellent sound projection to it. I expected this, mainly because this is a dreadnought-style guitar. And it doesn’t sound cheap by any means. The Orangewood Manhattan could easily stand up for itself against some of the other affordable (and mid-tier) guitars they offer.
Feel
This doesn’t feel like Frankenstein in my hands. I love how it’s smooth, lightweight, and easy to carry. I didn’t have any problems with the neck feeling too chunky or clunky while I was holding it.
Plus, I love the satin finish. I didn’t have any problems playing barre chords or anything higher on the neck because I could easily slide my hands up and down. There wasn’t any roughness on the neck. And the frets were in fantastic shape; honestly, they were in way better shape than I was expecting them to be.
Manhattan delivers a bold tone that makes a perfect first impression. The dreadnought look and the full-tone is a timeless classic.
Pros and Cons
Now, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons that the Orangewood Manhattan offers:
Pros:
- Comes with a high-end gig bag
- Very affordable
- Doesn’t look or sound like a cheap guitar
- Easy to play on
- 30-day return policy
Cons:
- You can’t touch the guitar out in store
- No pickup option is available; you can only have it shipped
- laminate Woods take away from the possibility of a deep and dark tone
Other Alternatives to Consider
If you don’t feel like this guitar is the best option for you, I have a few other options for you to consider.
Orangewood Austen
This is another excellent guitar to look into if you’re interested in getting your hands on a super affordable dreadnought-style guitar. While it’s a little more expensive than the Manhattan, it offers a solid spruce top body. The sound out of this guitar is bold, sweet, and won’t leave you disappointed.
With its stunning solid spruce top and the bold sound, Austen is surely a show-stealer. The smooth tone from the dreadnought body style makes it all more impressive.
Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany
If you’re set on buying a guitar for around $200, the Fender CD-60S is a beautiful option to look into. A lot of people know and love the Fender brand, so this would be a good option if you’re shopping around for someone who is dead set on having a name-brand guitar. Plus, the top is made up of solid mahogany, so you’ll get more of a ‘mood’ out of this guitar’s sound.
Martin Dreadnought Junior
Need a ¾ guitar? This is the best option for you. The Martin Junior is a ¾ dreadnought, which is great for any little ones (or people with smaller bodies) who are looking for a serious guitar to learn on. My favorite part of this guitar is they offer a left-handed option as well!
FAQs
Question: Can I find Orangewood at retail stores?
Answer: No, Orangewood only sells their guitars online. This is how they’re able to keep their guitars so affordable.
Question: Does Orangewood make left-handed models?
Answer: Yes, they do! Yet another reason why I love Orangewood.
Question: Does Orangewood offer a warranty?
Answer: Yes, Orangewood offers a limited one-year warranty on all of their guitars!
Is The Orangewood Manhattan Worth the Hype?
I don’t think you could go wrong with this guitar! There are a lot of strong points this acoustic has to offer. I wouldn’t recommend this guitar to someone looking for a higher quality or professional grade acoustic unless that person happens to be looking for a cheap travel guitar.
But, I do think this guitar is excellent for anyone looking to buy their first acoustic. It’s a good guitar to buy if you’re looking for a backup guitar to carry around too. I would highly recommend Orangewood Manhattan dreadnought acoustic guitar in either of those situations.
Manhattan delivers a bold tone that makes a perfect first impression. The dreadnought look and the full-tone is a timeless classic.
- Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top Review – Features, Pros and Cons - August 23, 2023
- Loog Guitar Review: Is It Worth the Buy? - August 22, 2023
- Precision Bass vs Jazz Bass Compared: Which Guitar is Better? - August 22, 2023