Alhambra W-3 Acoustic Guitar

The guitar marketplace is crowded with passable acoustics at bargain prices, as well as super-fine axes with steep tags. Well-constructed, gig-ready guitars at a middle-class price point - street price of, say, $1,500 - are a little harder to find. Most big-name manufacturers do offer a few quality instruments in that range, but when it comes to absolute bang-for-buck value, some of the most inspiring mid-price instruments may be found beyond the catalogs of established American builders.

Consider, for example, the impressive Alhambra W-3 dreadnought. With its solid German spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, the W-3 has a smoothly voiced low-end punch, mellow mids and clear highs, making it ideal for bluegrass pickers. The dreadnought would also be a solid choice for performing songwriters, as it responds equally well to dynamic fingerpicking or chunky strumming, and its even bottom end lets lowered tunings such as open-D or DADGAD sound rich yet uncluttered.

With fretboard inlays positioned on the bass side of the board, a see-through pickguard, 4-ply wood binding, and gold-plated tuning machines and strap buttons, the W-3 sports a classy, classic look without copycatting any other manufacturer's style. There are unique features beneath the surface as well, most notably the thin, scalloped bracing that allows the top to vibrate very freely, and the 'Spanish heel' neck joint - a time-honored building method that helps bolster volume and sustain. The flattish neck shape is reminiscent of classical-style necks, but it's slender enough to feel comfortable and fast in the hands of those used to modern steel-string instruments. The narrow, low-profile frets are cleanly installed and nicely polished, and intonation is spoton everywhere on the fretboard.

Alhambra isn't a household name, but the Spain-based company has been in business for over 40 years, using a combination of modern manufacturing techniques and traditional Spanish construction to produce instruments of high quality. Anyone in the market for a new dreadnought should check out the W-3 - an expertly crafted guitar with a versatile voice, at a price that won't induce sticker shock.