What is the primary body wood used for the top of the Hartwood Sonata-FX?

The guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top. This wood is chosen for its ability to provide a responsive and clear tone across all frequencies.

What makes the Sonata series armrest unique?

The armrest contour on the Sonata-FX is exclusive to this series because it includes additional sound holes. These holes allow the player to hear the acoustic resonance of the instrument more clearly while playing.

What type of neck profile does this guitar have?

The Hartwood Sonata-FX features a thin C-shaped neck. This profile is designed to be easy to play, accommodating a wide range of hand sizes and playing styles.

What kind of bracing is used inside the guitar?

The instrument uses scrolled X-shape Engleman spruce bracing. This design helps the guitar withstand bumps and knocks while ensuring consistent projection and tone.

Which tonewoods are used for the back and sides?

The back and sides are made from flamed maple. This wood choice complements the spruce top and provides a bright, articulate sound character.

Is the Hartwood Sonata-FX suitable for live performances?

Yes, as an electro-acoustic guitar, it is designed for both acoustic practice and amplified performance. It is marketed as an all-in-one solution for performers and songwriters.

How does the concert body size compare to a dreadnought?

The concert body size is generally more compact and comfortable than a dreadnought. This makes it easier to hold for long periods, especially when combined with the armrest contour.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Hartwood Sonata-FX Concert typically retails for approximately £450. This places it in the mid-range category of electro-acoustic guitars.

What type of frets are installed on the guitar?

The guitar is equipped with master graded frets. These are intended to provide a high-quality, smooth playing surface for better intonation and comfort.

What finish is available for this specific model?

This specific model comes in a Sunburst finish. This classic aesthetic highlights the grain of the flamed maple back and sides.

How does the maple neck affect the guitar's stability?

The maple neck provides a solid and stable platform for the fretboard. Maple is a dense wood that helps maintain the guitar's tuning and structural integrity over time.

What are some comparable alternatives to the Hartwood Sonata-FX?

Alternative models include the Fender Newporter Player, the Sigma DTC-28HE, and the Gretsch G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon. Each offers different body shapes and tonewood combinations within a similar market segment.

Gear article

Hartwood Sonata-FX Concert Electro-Acoustic Guitar Sunburst

The Hartwood Sonata-FX Concert is a performance-oriented electro-acoustic guitar featuring a solid Sitka spruce top and flamed maple back and sides. Notable for its integrated armrest contour with additional sound holes, it is designed to provide a responsive, full-frequency playing experience for practice, writing, and live performance.

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Overview and Construction

The Hartwood Sonata-FX Concert is a modern electro-acoustic guitar that prioritises player comfort and structural integrity. The instrument is built around a concert body shape, which is generally more compact and manageable than a traditional dreadnought. A key design feature is the inclusion of an armrest contour, which reduces pressure on the player's forearm during extended sessions.

Unique to the Sonata series are the additional sound holes located within the armrest contour itself. This design choice aims to provide the player with a more direct monitoring experience of the guitar's natural acoustic output. The internal structure is supported by scrolled X-shape Engleman spruce bracing, engineered to withstand the rigours of frequent use while maintaining consistent tonal projection.

Tonewood Selection

The guitar utilizes a premium combination of tonewoods to ensure a wide frequency response. The top is crafted from solid Sitka spruce, a wood favoured in acoustic lutherie for its strength-to-weight ratio and dynamic range. This is paired with flamed maple for the back and sides, which adds a distinct visual aesthetic and contributes to a bright, clear tonal character. The neck is also constructed from maple, ensuring stability and a snappy response across the fretboard.

Playability

Designed for ease of use, the Sonata-FX features a thin C-shaped neck profile, catering to players who prefer a contemporary feel or those with smaller hands. The fretwork consists of master graded frets, intended to provide a smooth surface for fretting and bending notes. These ergonomic considerations make the instrument suitable for various applications, from songwriting and home practice to live stage work.

Sound Character

The combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and maple back and sides results in a balanced, full-frequency sound. While the spruce provides the foundational warmth and resonance, the maple back and sides help to define the high-end, offering clarity that cuts through in an ensemble setting. The concert body size naturally emphasizes the mid-to-high frequencies, making it highly responsive to fingerstyle playing and light-to-medium strumming.

Market Comparison

Positioned within the competitive mid-range market at approximately £450, the Hartwood Sonata-FX competes with several established models. While the Yamaha APXT2 and Martin LX1E offer smaller, travel-oriented frames, the Sonata-FX provides a full-scale concert experience. It sits alongside traditional designs like the Sigma DTC-28HE and the Gretsch G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon, but distinguishes itself through contemporary ergonomic features like the contoured armrest and secondary sound ports. For players looking for high-end boutique features at a lower price point, it serves as a more accessible alternative to premium instruments like the Taylor Presentation PS14ce.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary body wood used for the top of the Hartwood Sonata-FX?: The guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top. This wood is chosen for its ability to provide a responsive and clear tone across all frequencies.
What makes the Sonata series armrest unique?: The armrest contour on the Sonata-FX is exclusive to this series because it includes additional sound holes. These holes allow the player to hear the acoustic resonance of the instrument more clearly while playing.
What type of neck profile does this guitar have?: The Hartwood Sonata-FX features a thin C-shaped neck. This profile is designed to be easy to play, accommodating a wide range of hand sizes and playing styles.
What kind of bracing is used inside the guitar?: The instrument uses scrolled X-shape Engleman spruce bracing. This design helps the guitar withstand bumps and knocks while ensuring consistent projection and tone.
Which tonewoods are used for the back and sides?: The back and sides are made from flamed maple. This wood choice complements the spruce top and provides a bright, articulate sound character.
Is the Hartwood Sonata-FX suitable for live performances?: Yes, as an electro-acoustic guitar, it is designed for both acoustic practice and amplified performance. It is marketed as an all-in-one solution for performers and songwriters.
How does the concert body size compare to a dreadnought?: The concert body size is generally more compact and comfortable than a dreadnought. This makes it easier to hold for long periods, especially when combined with the armrest contour.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Hartwood Sonata-FX Concert typically retails for approximately £450. This places it in the mid-range category of electro-acoustic guitars.
What type of frets are installed on the guitar?: The guitar is equipped with master graded frets. These are intended to provide a high-quality, smooth playing surface for better intonation and comfort.
What finish is available for this specific model?: This specific model comes in a Sunburst finish. This classic aesthetic highlights the grain of the flamed maple back and sides.
How does the maple neck affect the guitar's stability?: The maple neck provides a solid and stable platform for the fretboard. Maple is a dense wood that helps maintain the guitar's tuning and structural integrity over time.
What are some comparable alternatives to the Hartwood Sonata-FX?: Alternative models include the Fender Newporter Player, the Sigma DTC-28HE, and the Gretsch G5022CWFE Rancher Falcon. Each offers different body shapes and tonewood combinations within a similar market segment.