Sigma DM-1ST

[marit]

Having received the HB CLD-41SE and it frankly being perfect, I expected a bit of the same with this guitar. It's 85 euros lower in price but doesn't have a pickup system, so that's fair right? Unfortunately not the case. The strings are very high up, it doesn't play any bit as comfortable as the CLD-41SE does, and there are very many little problems with it. Pictures below (click on 'em and they'll get very big)!

Promising: the exact same qc-cards for both guitars (left is the Sigma)


Headstock looks very nice, letters much like a Martin


Back of the headstock, notice the cut when it goes to the neck?


Strings up high, the black stripes go far down this is on the whole neck


This is quite well done


The pickguard looks very cheaply


Very similar to the Benton


Meh


Some ugly marks on the body




The back looks nice but no-one can see that!




It's like it was sunbathing but the guitar strap was over the middle part

[guydio]

That'll be where the g string goes, that's sunbathing for you!

[marit]

guydio : ha yes exactly. Already packed it back up and will be returning it soon. Now have an eye on the Sigma DR28, can get it for just over 300 euros somewhere. Thoughts?

[wildturkey]

If its a Martin copy your after have a look a the Recording Kings
I picked up an all solid  000 for less than €300

[marit]

Apr 1, 2016 21:47:03 GMT wildturkey said:

If its a Martin copy your after have a look a the Recording Kings
I picked up an all solid  000 for less than €300

Just most prefer a dreadnought model, couldn't find many nice Recording Kings. I have the Sigma DME on my wishlist, more of a D-18 copy but also electro-acoustic for a good price; www.keymusic.com/nl/item/sigma-dme/

At some point I'll prob get the HB D-28 copy; www.thomann.de/nl/harley_benton_custom_line_cld_28sce.htm

I love my CLD-41 HB

[derek]

I owned the 0028 Sigma and it was absolutely flawless and sounded absolutely amazing ! The black pick guard does look cheap but no more so than on the Martins .

[derek]

Sorry I should add that the strap button should be on the heel of the neck or on the cap at the end of it . The top does look strange and although just cosmetic , its a reason in itself to return if you cannot live with it . I have numerous reviews on the different Sigma models and as I say I owned one of the higher range models , which was stunning . When I bought my all solid acoustic the reason was I needed a pickup as I was gigging . I sold it to a friend with the understanding that if I ever wanted it back he would sell it back to me . The acoustic guitar forum im on had tons of Sigma fans on it and I honeslty believe you as some Benton owners know , just been unlucky . It kinda reinforces my belief in never buying an acoustic instrument without actually playing the one Im buying first ! Electric guitars and basses are much easier to set up to the owners prefered action , but acoustics are slightly more difficult .

[marit]

Ha so a cheap looking pickguard is a good thing It was mostly the bad playability and the top that put me off. Maybe if either were good I would've kept it. I'm now looking at a Sigma DME as I prefer an electro-acoustic guitar anyway. The DM-1ST is returned and I'll shortly receive my money back. I've got the HB CLD-41SE and I'm very happy with it so I do still believe it's possible to get a good acoustic guitar online. The bonus is that these days it's easy to return back if you're not satisfied which goes for most online stores.

[Deleted]

I'm with you derek, always buying electrics online but steer clear of acoustics. The tone you're looking for is a very personal thing and I couldn't bear the torture of unpacking and repacking dozens of acoustics, to say nothing of the setting up...saddle out...sandy sandy sand...restring...unstring...saddle out...sandy sandy sand...restring...snap...bugger.

[gillette]

You were comparing to different guitars HB CLD-41SE and Sigma Dm-1st

There is Sigma DRC 41e wich HB CLD41se is very simillar to.