![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Vineyard-Koa-Folk-AE.jpg?resize=401%2C1024&ssl=1\")
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<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Vineyard-Koa-Folk-Back-Shot.jpg?resize=409%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nA Koa Beauty<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Vineyard Koa is based on Luna\u2019s Folk body, which splits the difference between a grand auditorium and a parlor. It has a spruce top with a koa overlay; laminated back and sides, also koa; and an Eastern mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. Its compact body is enhanced by a bevel on the top portion of the lower bout, which increases comfort while playing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The grain pattern of the koa veneer on the top plate is gorgeous, giving an effect that makes it feel as though the guitar was taken straight out of a forest, and the stunning inlays add to the Vineyard\u2019s striking optics. Pearloid vines wrap symmetrically around the soundhole and weave elegantly up the fretboard\u2014a design that was inspired by Italian vineyards, according to Luna. This ornamentation gives the instrument an earthy and idyllic visual theme. Together, the koa and inlays create a classy, modern take on a traditional steel-string.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Warm Presence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As soon as I began playing the Vineyard Koa, I could feel the guitar\u2019s power; its sound is surprisingly big and resonant. The body vibrates in response to your playing, and tones emerge from the soundhole as if they are echoing throughout a cavern. It\u2019s warm and vibrant and elicits plentiful overtones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Vineyard Koa has excellent tonal range, being especially rich in the high end and mids. It responds well to fingerpicking but, despite being a small-bodied guitar, is not lacking in low end, which is great when strumming chords or playing with a pick. It\u2019s more than just well-rounded\u2014it\u2019s bright and bold, with a lot of presence, but somehow in a gentle way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On one of my go-to fingerpicking pieces, \u201cDon\u2019t Think Twice, It\u2019s All Right\u201d (specifically Nick Drake\u2019s version of this great Bob Dylan tune), the Vineyard Koa responded nicely, with distinct tones and balance across all ranges. I also tried out an arrangement of J.S. Bach\u2019s \u201cChaconne in D minor\u201d from Partita No. 2<\/em> and found that not only does the guitar resonate beautifully in dropped-D tuning but the piece highlights some of the guitar\u2019s hotspots, which can be found more and more as you move towards the 12th fret on any string.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When using a pick on acoustic guitar I like to play more aggressively than some might think necessary; the Vineyard was up to the task when digging into some bluegrass riffs, trying out a folk-rock solo on one of my own songs, and playing the classic riff from Led Zeppelin’s \u201cOver the Hills and Far Away.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Comfortable Setup and Effortless Electronics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Vineyard Koa came set up with comfortably low action, making it perfect for playing barre chords as well as melodies higher up the neck. With a 25.5-inch scale length, executing broad and compact chord shapes was comfortable and familiar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The neck has a slim, C-shaped profile that makes it easy to grip and smooth for moving up and down. Its gloss finish against your palm doesn\u2019t hinder that movement, but simply adds to the guitar\u2019s overall aesthetic. The only drawback is that, when moving up the fretboard, the frets feel a tiny bit bumpy, making it so that it takes a little extra pressure to slide from shape to shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"acoustic](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/acoustic-guitar-care-maintenance-lessons.png?resize=600%2C200&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAfter trying out such a vibrant instrument, I was very pleased to discover that, thanks to its Fishman electronics, it sounds just as good when plugged in. The fidelity is impressive, and along with the standard volume, bass, and treble knobs, as well as a phase button, it also comes with a handy onboard tuner. I found the best setting to be having both the bass and treble in the middle, but modifying those settings still yielded positive results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All in All<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Luna’s Vineyard Koa Bevel Folk covers a wide range of applications, managing to be both bold and bright with glowing overtones. Combine that versatility with its distinct look and feel, smooth playability, and beautiful aesthetic and you\u2019ve got a great-sounding, affordable instrument that will appeal to player of all stripes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
BODY<\/strong> Folk size; spruce top with koa veneer; laminated koa back and sides; rosewood bridge; single-ply rosewood binding; natural gloss finish<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NECK<\/strong> 25.5″-scale Eastern mahogany neck with dual-action truss rod; 20 frets; rosewood fretboard with 16″ radius; pearloid vine inlays; 1-11\/16″ bone nut; chrome tuners; natural gloss finish<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OTHER<\/strong> D\u2019Addario EXP16 coated strings (.012\u2013053); Fishman Presys II electronics; optional soft or tooled leather hardshell case ($159) or lightweight case ($119) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MADE IN<\/strong> China<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PRICE<\/strong> $699 street <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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