My love for acoustic guitars can be traced back to my childhood, when I would often watch my dad play his guitar at home. He would strum away for hours, lost in the music and lost in his thoughts. As a young child, I was fascinated by the sound of the strings, the way they resonated and filled the room with warmth and energy.
Over time, I began to associate the guitar with my dad and the love and joy he brought to our family through his music.
As I grew older, I started to appreciate the intricate melodies and rhythms he would create, and I longed to be able to play like him one day.
Eventually, I got my own acoustic guitar and started taking lessons, and although I am still far from matching my dad's skills, I continue to play and be inspired by the instrument that has brought so much joy and connection to my family.
The world of guitars is vast and diverse, with countless brands and models to choose from. But when it comes to high-performance instruments, few can match the quality and craftsmanship of HPL guitars. HPL, or High-Pressure Laminate, is a material that has been gaining popularity in recent years for its durability, affordability, and tonal qualities.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the best HPL guitars on the market today, exploring their features, sound, and overall performance to help you find the perfect instrument for your needs.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, an HPL guitar could be just what you need to take your playing to the next level.
How I Choose the Best HPL Guitars for You
To determine the best HPL guitars on the market, I have conducted extensive research by reading through hundreds of Amazon reviews. Amazon provides a wealth of information about the products they sell, with customers from all over the world sharing their experiences and opinions.
By carefully reading through these reviews, I was able to gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various HPL guitars, as well as their overall performance and sound quality. I also paid close attention to factors such as price, design, and ease of use, as these are all important considerations for anyone looking to purchase an HPL guitar.
Through this process, I have identified some of the most highly rated and well-regarded HPL guitars on the market today, and I am excited to share my findings with you.
We hope you find your next favorite thing from the list below! We selected each product with care and thought. Some may have been sent to us for review but all opinions in this article are ours- we know that's why Techi-Becky Reviews was created so readers could get an honest opinion on anything they were curious about online without having worry if it would be negative or not helpful towards their needs because every single piece of content submitted goes through rigorous scrutiny by professional editors who only publish items backed up by research evidence when possible.FYI — Techi-Becky Reviews may collect a share of sales or other compensation from being an Amazon Associate, we earn commissions from qualifying purchases from links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business) Thanks for reading!!!
Becky's Choice:
Introducing the Martin LXM "Little Martin" Acoustic Guitar, a perfect choice for musicians on the go, beginners, and children with smaller hands. Its small, modified 0-14 Martin body is ideal for travel and practice, while also being a great fit for young learners.
The guitar boasts a wood-pattern HPL top with "1-style" Sitka spruce bracing, a Micarta fretboard and bridge, a 23" scale, and a Stratabond modified low-oval neck. Martin's patented neck mortise ensures superior playability and easy fretting. This guitar is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a compact and high-quality instrument that delivers rich and authentic sound.
Techi-FunFacts:
The Martin LXM "Little Martin" Acoustic Guitar comes packed with impressive features, including OTOH nickel-plated tuners and a C.F. Martin script logo on the headstock, adding to its stylish appearance. The guitar also includes a heavily padded gig bag from Martin, ensuring maximum protection during transportation.
Additionally, customers can choose from a range of colors and other options by checking the drop-down menu to the right, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences. With its eye-catching design and range of options, the Martin LXM is the perfect choice for musicians seeking a versatile and customizable instrument.
Becky's Choice:
Introducing Martin's DX Johnny Cash Signature Edition acoustic-electric guitar, a stunning tribute to the iconic "Man in Black" and his unique sound. This signature model draws inspiration from the original custom dreadnought that was built for Johnny Cash himself, and features high-pressure laminate (HPL) construction that is ideal for both picking and strumming.
With its superior appearance and exceptional sound quality, this guitar is a must-have for fans of Johnny Cash and acoustic guitar enthusiasts alike. The HPL jet-black sides and top are accented by a custom fingerboard that features star inlays and the "CASH" logo, adding to the guitar's striking appearance.
Whether on stage or in the studio, the Martin DX Johnny Cash Signature Edition acoustic-electric guitar delivers unbeatable style and performance.
Techi-FunFacts:
The Signature Edition Series guitars are a testament to our commitment to excellence. Handmade from the finest quality wood, these acoustic-electric guitars are built to withstand even the most rigorous use.
They are designed to deliver classic styles, professional sounds, and an enjoyable playing experience. With Martin's iconic tone known worldwide, these guitars offer enhanced playability that makes playing a pleasure, regardless of your experience or skill level.
Whether you're playing rock, country, folk, bluegrass, or jazz, these guitars deliver a natural playing experience that you will love.
Martin's superior guitar and string products have remained the top choice for musicians worldwide for their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. Our guitars are still handmade to this day, setting the standard for the industry. When you choose a Martin guitar, you are choosing the real deal, not an imitation.
Becky's Choice:
With the HPL KOA Satin Finish Material on the top, back, and sides, this guitar is the perfect choice for musicians who want to play anywhere without worrying about humidity or dry climate.
This material is incredibly durable and won't crack, ensuring that the guitar will last for years to come. Additionally, the black Richlite fingerboard and bridge offer high stability, so the guitar won't shrink or warp in different climates or environments.
No matter where you play, this guitar is designed to provide exceptional performance and sound quality. Whether you're a professional musician or a beginner, this guitar is a great choice for any player who values quality, durability, and versatility.
Techi-FunFacts:
BT Neck Attachment: This feature allows you to adjust the height of the strings to the fret according to your preference, ensuring that you can customize the guitar's playability to your liking.
Complete Accessory Package: The guitar comes with a complete accessory package that includes a rainproof gig bag, tuner, picks, strap, strings, polish cloth, and capo. This package ensures that you have everything you need to start playing right away, and makes it easy to take your guitar with you wherever you go.
Acoustic-Electric Guitar: This guitar is equipped with a built-in pickup system, allowing you to plug it into an amplifier or recording device for amplified sound. This feature makes it perfect for live performances or recording sessions, giving you the flexibility to use it in a variety of settings.
Martin LX1E Little Martin Solid Sitka Spruce
Becky's Choice:
The Martin Little Martin LX1E acoustic-electric guitar is the perfect choice for players who want professional sound in a compact package. With its Sitka spruce top and high-pressure laminate (HPL) construction, this guitar delivers a full, rich tone that is unmatched by other small guitars.
It is Martin's smallest guitar, but it is big on quality, tone, and versatility. Whether you're playing around the campfire or practicing at home, this guitar is sure to impress.
In addition to its superior sound, the Little Martin LX1E is also built with a superior appearance. The Sitka spruce top and mahogany high-pressure laminate (HPL) back and sides have a warm satin finish that looks as good as it sounds. The guitar is built with sustainable wood certified parts and features a mortise and tenon neck joint, non-scalloped X-Brace, standard tapered neck, and chrome-enclosed gear tuners.
These features not only enhance the guitar's appearance but also ensure that it is durable and long-lasting.
Techi-FunFacts:
Handmade from the highest-quality wood
Solid-wood construction ensures durability for late-night jams, studio sessions, and heavy strumming or picking
Acoustic-electric design delivers professional sound with classic designs
Enhanced playability for a natural playing experience that suits all skill levels and music genres
Martin's iconic tone known worldwide for a premium sound
Becky's Choice:
Experience the legendary music festival with Martin’s DX Woodstock 50th Special Edition acoustic-electric guitar.
This vibrant dreadnought guitar delivers the rich and dynamic sound that made Martin the preferred choice of many artists who played at Woodstock. The Special Edition model uses high-pressure laminate (HPL) construction, making it perfect for picking and strumming.
The DX Woodstock 50th Special Edition guitar not only produces superior sound but also features stunning artwork by Robert F. Goetzl.
The custom colorful design replicates elements from the original and iconic 1969 festival poster. With a mortise and tenon neck joint, scalloped X-bracing, high-performance tapered neck, and chrome enclosed gear tuners, this guitar has an outstanding appearance that matches its exceptional sound.
Get ready to experience the Woodstock festival's iconic look and sound with Martin's DX Woodstock 50th Special Edition acoustic-electric guitar.
Techi-FunFacts:
Crafted with utmost care from premium quality wood, our Special Edition Series guitars are a testament to our commitment to delivering excellence. Designed to endure prolonged jamming sessions, recording studio marathons, and countless strumming or picking, these handmade acoustic-electric guitars exude classic charm, professional-grade sound, and effortless playability.
Our guitars not only showcase the renowned Martin tone, but also feature enhanced playability, elevating your playing experience regardless of your skill level or genre. Whether you're into rock, country, folk, bluegrass, or jazz, our guitars offer a natural and enjoyable playing experience that will leave you enamored.
As a pioneer in the industry, Martin continues to be the go-to choice for musicians worldwide, thanks to our unwavering commitment to unparalleled quality, exceptional craftsmanship, and unmatched tone. Our guitars remain true to their roots and are crafted with the same attention to detail as before, making them the real deal and not mere imitations.
Things to Consider when Buying HPL guitar
Price
The first thing to consider when buying an HPL guitar is the price. HPL guitars range in price from around $200 to $2,000, so it is important to set a budget before beginning your search.
Body Style
HPL guitars are available in a variety of body styles, including dreadnought, jumbo, and concert. The body style you choose should be based on your personal preferences and playing style.
Top Material
The top material of an HPL guitar plays a big role in its overall sound. The most common top materials used for HPL guitars are spruce and cedar. Spruce is typically used for acoustic guitars because it provides a bright, balanced sound. Cedar is often used for electric guitars because it gives the instrument a warm, full sound.
Neck Material
The neck material of an HPL guitar also affects its sound. The most common neck materials used are maple and mahogany. Maple provides a bright, snappy sound, while mahogany gives the guitar a warm, mellow sound.
Number of Strings
HPL guitars are available with either 6 or 12 strings. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you start with a 6-string guitar. If you are more experienced, you may want to consider a 12-string guitar.
Best HPL Guitar-FAQs
What is the best HPL guitar?
The answer to this question really depends on which type of music you’re looking to play and the type of sound you’re after.
If you're going for a classic hard rock or heavy metal tone, the best HPL guitar is probably either an Ibanez RG Series or a Jackson Soloist/Dinky. These guitars are both well-known for their iconic 80's shredder tones - super bright and aggressive, with plenty of bite! The neck shapes on these models also have great sustain and excellent playability, making them perfect options for speed picking and lead playing.
On the other hand, if you're more into blues, funk or jazz styles, then you should take a look at Gibson Les Pauls. Their humbucker pickups provide warm tones that can handle virtually any genre of music - from classic rock to modern blues and everything in between. You get loads of sustain too, so every note will ring out beautifully!
Finally if it's low end grunt that's needed then there are few better than Fender Stratocasters. That distinctive single coil pickup coupled with their light weight body make them extremely versatile guitars capable of delivering thick rhythm parts as well as crystal clear treble leads!
Ultimately it all comes down to personal preference but there is no denying that these three manufacturers produce some truly amazing instruments - each offering something unique in terms of style and sound quality. So regardless of your musical taste there will always be an HPL guitar perfectly suited to your needs!
How do I choose the best HPL guitar?
Choosing the perfect HPL (high-pressure laminate) guitar can be an intimidating decision. It’s important to understand the different properties between HPL and other more traditional materials such as solid wood so that you can make an informed choice about which one is best for your needs. To start off, it's recommended to read up on what makes HPL such a valuable material used in modern-day guitars; this way, you'll have a better understanding of what qualities to look for when choosing the best HPL guitar.
HPL has become increasingly popular among high-end guitar makers due to its robust nature and durability over extended use. Not only is it resistant against scratches and denting, but also does not suffer from warping due to temperature or humidity changes like traditional woods would do. In addition, most of these instruments provide exceptional sound quality that rivals their wooden counterparts—although some might disagree in terms of tone texture.
Another factor worth considering is price point – HPL guitars are higher priced than those made from solid wood due to the cost associated with manufacturing them with precision machinery but they could be thought of as being a good investment if you're looking for something durable with great longevity that won't require extra maintenance or repair costs down the line like traditional acoustic guitars may do eventually. Additionally since they come factory sealed right outta box there's less setup hassle involved compared other types too!
Finally another pro tip - take time trying out different models before making your buying decision; go through their demos online or even head over local music store where they likely have few brands available side by side so you can hone down exactly which one sounds & feels just right for yourself! Seek advice from experienced players who have played each type extensively so we'd suggest talking around friends/family members who play similarly styled music genres if possible etc.. All said done take into account major components listed above then should lead in finding perfect HPL model suited specifically tailored your needs & budget ultimately!
What are the benefits of using an HPL guitar?
The HPL Guitar is a relatively new type of instrument that offers many unique benefits for musicians. To start, the construction of an HPL guitar is much more sustainable than traditional materials like wood or metal. This makes the instrument easier to care for and decreases its environmental impact. Additionally, since the material used to construct HPL guitars does not expand or contract with changes in climate like other materials would, it results in greater tuning stability over time.
The tone of an HPL guitar also stands out from other acoustic guitars thanks to its powerful bass response and crisp highs. This makes them incredibly versatile — they are just as suitable as a primary performance guitar in rock and blues as they are in jazz or country genres.
In terms of playability, tensions on an HPL-constructed neck tend to be lower than standard guitars due to their lighter weight. As such, players report that there’s less effort required when playing and chords can be played much easier — especially if you’re switching between different chords frequently during your setlist! For those looking to play faster and improve their technique on the fretboard quickly should definitely consider picking up one of these instruments for practice sessions at home (or live shows!).
Finally, compared to conventional acoustic guitars made from wood or metal, the cost savings associated with purchasing an HPL guitar can range from 10 - 25%. With this price point advantage plus all of its other features mentioned above; it's no wonder why so many musicians have been making the switch from wooden bodies today!
What are some of the best HPL guitar tips and tricks?
When it comes to HPL guitar playing, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you improve your overall sound. Whether you're looking for more clarity, better tone, or simply want to experiment with different techniques, these tips will take your playing to the next level.
Use alternate picking – Alternate picking is one of the most common techniques used in electric guitar soloing and rhythm playing. This technique uses both upstrokes and downstrokes in an alternating pattern which helps create a consistent sound that is often easier to control than using strictly one form or the other. To make sure you’re using this technique correctly, practice going through scales and riffs at slow speeds while focusing on keeping a even tempo between each pick stroke.
Utilize hammer-ons & pull offs – Hammer-ons & Pull Offs (HOPOs) are two important techniques used when creating legato type phrases on the guitar neck. To execute them properly, lightly pluck the starting note then slide your fretting hand over either above or below notes on subsequent frets without plucking them again (a hammer-on for an upward motion; a pull off for downward). When done correctly this creates smooth transitions between each note giving it almost singing like quality as opposed to straightforward plucking method which often takes away from tone clarity if not done precisely right every time.
Remember vibrato use - Vibrato is an essential part of many styles of guitar playing including rock/metal genres like HPL where it adds extra aggression and intensity.. The trickiest part about vibrato though lies in how much pressure needs to go into executing correct fret manipulations while applying proper pressure on strings during pitch bends Sometimes experimenting with different amounts of finger strength can really improve how effective your vibratos come across so don’t be afraid exploring with those nuances until something feels natural enough for execution effortlessly every time!
4 . Become familiar with string skipping - String skipping is another common technique used by lead players allowing them access larger intervals quickly when compared against traditional linear runs which may require more physical demands from player’s hands especially when navigating multiple registers during same phrase construction Unlike normal linear runs though that follow logically along strings being played here we instead employ concept jumping across open space leaving behind some strings while targeting others directly This type movement requires great coordination but also results in some truly unique melodic textures being created within HPL realm once mastered!
5 .Get accustomed w/ double stops - Double stop means two simultaneous sounding notes usually applied within same position over fretboard Those approaches provide quite distinctive flavor particularly within soloing contexts since combined crunchy tones instantly add life That’s why knowing how use properly should definitely favor our expression possibilities Here important remember ringing both strings evenly otherwise result might sound too unbalanced thus defeating its purpose entirely whenever performed live situation!
Best HPL Guitar
In conclusion, the HPL Guitar is one of the best guitar options for any musician looking for that perfect combination of tone, feel and playability. It's an ideal choice for a wide range of playing styles - from blues to heavy rock.
Whether you need a classic Les Paul style tone or something with an edgier sound, an HPL guitar is definitely worth considering.
With its high-output pickups and solid mahogany body, you can get the perfect sound from your amp every time. And don't forget about the choice of finishes – from vintage blonde to modern black – there's something for everyone.
The HPL Guitar is an incredible instrument that offers superb performance and unparalleled versatility in a compact package. If you're ready to take your music to the next level, this is definitely the right guitar for you! So what are you waiting for? Tap that green button now to make your selection and start playing like a pro!
