Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar Review
Everybody knows it’s wise to give a cheap and affordable guitar to a beginner. The Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar is one of the cheapest guitars today.
When it comes to nurturing musical talent, starting off on the right note is essential, and that’s where affordable options like the Jasmine S35 come into play. As the saying goes, “Good things come in small packages,” and this budget-friendly acoustic guitar is a testament to that wisdom.
Whether you’re a fledgling strummer stepping into the world of music for the first time or an experienced player seeking a reliable companion for on-the-go jam sessions, the Jasmine S35 promises an entryway into the captivating realm of music without breaking the bank.
Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar Review: The Cheapest Guitars On The Market
Everybody knows it’s wise to give a beginner a cheap and affordable guitar. First, they don’t understand the difference between the sounds a $1000 guitar makes and a guitar that’s just under $500. But how affordable can you go when it comes to guitars?
The Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar is one of the cheapest guitars today. For just under $80, the Jasmine S35 features sounds that would help any beginner understand how to play the fundamental and even intermediate guitar chords and songs.
This Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar review will show you all its features, the materials used to build it, its pros and cons, my rating for the guitar, and my recommendations. But first of all, here is an introduction to Jasmine Guitars.
Jasmine Guitars was initially owned by one of the most famous guitar manufacturing companies, Takamine Guitars. It’s one of those renowned companies producing quality guitars over and under $1000. But after ten years, Jasmine Guitars was sold to the KMC Music Company, including the famous Jasmine S35.
About Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar Review
The Jasmine S35 is known to be the best-selling “steel string acoustic guitar” on the market. Not bad for an $80 guitar, right? But what makes the S35 better compared to other guitars in the same price range are the materials used to make this guitar.
Jasmine guitars deliver good quality guitars that are just under $500. Most of their models have a glossy finish, but the Jasmine S35 is known for having that satin finish which provides, for me, a more natural-sounding acoustic guitar.
Because of its very affordable price, the S35 is specially made for beginners who want to learn how to play the guitar. Plus, it’s best for people who love traveling with their guitar or hanging out.
Features of Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
Again, the Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar is one of the cheapest guitars today that can still produce good quality sound. Even for a price of $80 or less, the materials used to create this guitar are almost the same as other guitars for under $500.
Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar Composition
The materials used and how the guitar was formed make the S35 better than its competitors in the same price range. To start things off, the fingerboard (the strings on the neck of the guitar that produces the quality of the sound) is made of rosewood, typically used for low-budgeted guitars that aim to achieve the best natural sound of acoustic guitars.
The guitar’s top is finely made with spruce wood with Jasmine Advanced “X” Bracing that holds the tone together when you play it. I like how Jasmine still incorporates their signature bracing even if the S35 is one of their cheapest guitars. This only shows that they are serious about any project that they have so that they can produce quality guitars for their customers.
Next, the back and sides of the Jasmine S35 are made of Agathis, conifer, inexpensive and evergreen wood almost similar to Mahogany. Most entry-level guitars use Nato wood for better projection of sound quality, but Agathis would already be a great choice if the guitar is under $300.
It’s equipped with Chrome setting tuners that are supported by spruce wood. When shipped, the strings they used for the guitar were Phopher bronze light gauge .012-.053, which is quite a low-quality set of strings, but it can be easily solved by replacing it with a $5 set of strings.
It has a dreadnaught, a slim neck profile, and 20 close frets, making it easy to play even if you have tiny fingers. This makes it ideal for beginners, so you can quickly learn to change chords and do it fast.
Lastly, it has a natural color with a satin finish. Satins are different from a glossy finish because they are a much lighter coat. If you want an acoustic guitar that creates a more natural sound and resonance with the wood, it is best to choose a guitar with a satin finish.
I have noticed that satin-finished guitars don’t produce that punchy or crisp sound compared to a glossy finish. It has a less bright, warm, and duller tone when compared to glossy finished guitars. As beginners, when it comes to guitars, it’s alright that you don’t notice these types of differences, but you’ll get to understand it better when you play longer and better with different guitars.
How Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar Looks:
The Jasmine S35 also has one of those traditional acoustic guitar looks. It has a natural color that will make you remember those good old years when your father or grandfather used to play for you when you were little.
How Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar Sounds:
Because the Jasmine S35 is installed with a Phopher bronze light gauge .012-.053, it produces low-quality sound. That’s why most of its buyers choose to buy a different set of strings to create a more decent sound. I suggest you buy D’Addario strings because it’s one of the most trusted strings on the market today.
Personal Opinion: Editor’s Jasmine S35 Review
If you’re looking to buy an entry-level guitar for yourself or someone else and have a limited budget, then I suggest you choose the Jasmine S35. I bought one for my brother because he was interested in guitars, and I was hesitant to lend him my $1000 guitar, so I chose to buy him one for himself.
I was glad I chose the S35 for my brother because he was very comfortable with the overall size and shape of the guitar. Although we had to change his strings to D’Addario, it was a minor expense rather than buying him a $300 – $500 guitar.
Once we’ve correctly tuned it to place, the guitar was all set and ready to go. My brother was thrilled with his new guitar and used to play it a couple of hours a day. He didn’t complain about the guitar, which was pretty good for $80.
I noticed that the guitar itself has a weird sound when played, but my brother didn’t notice at all, maybe because he was not that sensitive enough to the sound yet. (For him, his $80 guitar has the same sound quality as my $1000, weird, right?) But overall, I recommend the Jasmine S35 acoustic guitar for those on a tight budget but would still love to have their brand-new guitar.
Pros and Cons of Jasmine S35 Acoustic Guitar
Pros of Jasmine S35
The features of this guitar are made for a beginner only, which is why you shouldn’t expect that much when you already know a lot about guitars. Even if it’s just under $80, here are some pros that you can expect to have:
- Great for those people on a tight budget because it’s affordable.
- Has decent sound even for its price.
- Can be a great practice ground for those just trying out guitars.
Cons of Jasmine S35
Of course, you can’t expect an $80 guitar to have the same features as a $500 guitar. Here are some cons that will notice from the Jasmine S35.
- It’s a standalone guitar, which means you should expect it to be shipped without a case, set of extra strings, tuners, etc. ($80 is already cheap even for a guitar.)
- It doesn’t come with electronics. Of course, even a $300 guitar doesn’t have electronics equipped, so you should already understand that.
- Has a weird sound for those who already understand the importance of sound quality, but it will pass the ears of beginners.
Editor’s Rating
A review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t give a rating, so here’s what I think about the Jasmine S35:
- Hardware And Durability – 8/10
- Sound – 9/10
- Value – 10/10
- Impression – 9/10
- Features – 9.5/10
- Action, Fit, and Finish – 9/10
Conclusion
When you’re looking for an acoustic guitar that’s fit for a beginner and on a tight budget, I recommend the Jasmine S35. For only $80, you already got a guitar with good sound quality that will make every entry-level player proud of themselves.
Even though it has some minor drawbacks, it’s already a good bargain, not only for its price but also for its value. It’s made with quality materials and manufactured by a reputable brand, so you can be sure that it will last for a couple of years until the beginner becomes an intermediate-level guitar player.
Plus, if you’re looking for a guitar that you can quickly bring wherever you go, then the Jasmine S35 would be a great buddy for you. Compared to bringing your expensive guitar, you don’t have to worry about your guitar being damaged while you’re away.
