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The flatpicked guitar reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
161 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: The Mandolin Store
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: 940 ($US)
It is a Martin HD28 clone. It is a loud guitar which is great for bluegrass music. Mine has Adirondack spruce top which is supposed to be better, but I have never compared it to a regular BR160. I have installed a K & K Pure Western Mini pickup in it which sounds great through a PA.
Sound Rating: 9
The guitar was factory set up with a little high action. The harder I pick or strum, the louder the sound. Unlike my other guitar with low action, where hard strumming just gets muddy.
I am going to lower action a bit at the nut.
Setup Rating: 7
It is a Blueridge with heavy inlays on the headstock. It has snowflake fretboard inlays. Sides, back and the fretboard are made out of solid east indian rosewood.
Appearance Rating: 8
I seems reliable, but I have only had it for a few months.
Reliability Rating: not rated
Never dealt with them. I bought it at www.themandolinstore.com - "The most helpful shop on the planet".
Customer Service: not rated
It has a bone nut and open vintage tuners which seems ok.
Components Rating: not rated
I think this is a great guitar for bluegrass picking and at the price it is a bargain. The main "feature" is the sound. If I should replace it, I had to get a real Martin HD28 - at four times the price.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Imerslund Music, Oslo, Norway
Year Purchased: 1974
Price Paid: 312 ($US)
It is a mahogany body dreadnought. Beatiful sound, but not very loud. i switched from .010 strings to .012 and that helped a lot. For bluegrass flatpicking I prefer a rosewood body guitar.
Sound Rating: 8
Can´t remember how it was set up back then.
Setup Rating: not rated
it is a regular dreadnought. Beatifully hand crafted. Large square m.o.p. markers on the fingerboard. Quite large peghead.
Appearance Rating: 9
It has lasted for 34 years so far without any problems, so yes, I would say it is reliable!
Reliability Rating: 10
It came with a 10 years warranty. Never dealt with the company, and now it doesn´t exist anymore.
Customer Service: not rated
The guitar has one very special feature. Bridge height can be adjusted seperately for each string. It is all solid wood. Spruce top, magany sides, back and neck, bound ebony fingerboard. Real bone nut.
Components Rating: 10
If you come across a used Levin - buy it. The Levin company in Gotenburg, Sweden made great instruments, specially guitars and mandolins. Before the company was shut down, they even made guitars for C.F. Martin.
Overall Rating: 8
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