Auden Maple Series – Chester Full Body

2 reviews for Auden Maple Series – Chester Full Body

1. 5 out of 5

   Duncan Hodson – May 28, 2024

   Reviewing the Auden Chester Maple guitar is like describing the perfect cup of tea: rich, comforting, and with just the right amount of zing to keep things interesting. From the moment you pick up this magnificent instrument, you know you’re in for a treat. The craftsmanship is impeccable, showcasing a beautiful maple body that is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the ears.

   The sound of the Auden Chester Maple is nothing short of extraordinary. It has a deep, rich resonance that fills the room with a warm, enveloping embrace. Whether you’re strumming gentle chords or picking out intricate melodies, this guitar delivers with a versatility that’s bound to impress even the most discerning of musicians. The tonal quality is so lush, it feels like a grand piano decided to don a six-string disguise and join your musical adventures.

   A large part of this sonic splendour can be attributed to the Brad Clark Supernatural pickup. To put it mildly, this pickup is the James Bond of the guitar world – smooth, sophisticated, and impeccably sharp. It captures every nuance of your playing with such clarity that you’ll wonder if it’s reading your mind. The incredible acoustic tone of the Auden Chester Maple is beautifully complemented by the amplified tone produced by this pickup. Imagine the purest audio nectar being poured directly into your ears – that’s what the Brad Clark Supernatural delivers. Whether you’re playing unplugged or plugged in, the sound remains consistently exquisite, making this guitar a versatile powerhouse in any setting.

   Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – or rather, the herd of elephants known as Taylor and Lowden guitars. My bandmates, armed with their much pricier instruments, were initially sceptical about my more budget-friendly Auden. However, after a few sessions, the scepticism melted away, replaced by wide-eyed admiration. They unanimously agreed that the Auden Chester Maple was not just on par with their guitars, but in some cases, even better. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of having a guitar that outshines its more expensive rivals while leaving your wallet relatively unscathed.

   And if all this wasn’t enough, dealing with the Auden company is a delight in itself. Their customer service is as stellar as their guitars. They’re responsive, helpful, and genuinely passionate about their craft, making the whole experience from purchase to play an absolute joy.

   In conclusion, the Auden Chester Maple is a marvel. It’s an instrument that doesn’t just meet expectations – it exceeds them with a cheeky grin. If you’re looking for a guitar that combines incredible sound, stunning aesthetics, and top-notch build quality, this is the one to get. It’s the musical equivalent of finding a unicorn in your backyard – rare, magical, and utterly delightful.

2. 5 out of 5

   Carl Young – July 7, 2024

   My maple Chester is now 3 years old, and is opening up quite nicely. The maple back and sides make this a very handsome instrument and the fairly restrained ornamentation gives it an air of class. I currently have a number of other acoustic guitars I can use for comparison, an Auden Chester Neo, a Gretsch Jim Dandy, and 2 guitars from the the Furch Vintage 2 range, an OOM and a Dreadnaught. The 2 Furch’s are the closest in terms of price although they are still a chunk of money more expensive. Any comparisons I can make will have to be with the Furch’s. Starting with build quality the Auden holds up really well. There are no faults and the build is immaculate both inside and out. In fact I’d have to say the Auden is marginally better than my Furch’s – there are small traces of the Furch’s being mostly hand built, certainly nothing that could be deemed as poor build, it’s just that the Auden looks like it’s had more QC. The Auden neck is another high point – it’s fantastically comfortable and makes the guitar a joy to play. As a mainly fingerstyle player I’d prefer a slightly wider nut (both Furch’s are 45mm) but it’s fair to say the Auden will probably suit a wider audience. Where the Furch’s start to shine is with their power and responsiveness – both of them can really shout, however the Auden has its own voice – refined and well balanced, and it also has a pickup, so it can be plugged in making it very flexible. Overall I think the Auden Chester is fantastic value for money and the buying process can be unique : visiting the factory and showroom makes a great experience, and something you’re unlikely to experience – particularly with the big US brands. And of course you’d be supporting one of our homegrown companies!