Ashton D20 Dreadnought

D20/12 string - Cost A$150, and then I added top of the line strings for A$50 and wow – This guitar is built of basswood on sides and back, but has solid top, so you can take advantage of this combination to end up with a mellow but beautiful sounding 12 string. In fact it sounds better than guitars up to around the $750 mark . I changed the strings to Thomastik Infield 210's (shop did the change for free). Wow. Don't keep the… Read more

'Alice' strings it comes with. They are pretty basic. My teacher compared it to his expensive brand name mid range 12 stringer guitar. It was better l, and sounds wonderful (especially in his hands).

The setup is pretty good with these strings as likely it lowered the height a little and reduced the tension.

Very minor rough fret edge on a couple of frets but nothing major. The pale wood they use on the bridge and neck makes it look good too. Amazing bargain for the price!!! Look after it.

I haven't found any bridge or neck issues, or anything else major in the build. Tuners seem ok but need a tweak from day to day. There are some minor finish issues but who cares at this price. Especially as a lot of 6 string guitars are junk at this price, and this is a 12!

This is a review of the guitar without electronics. I added a stick on piezo.

Maybe a pick guard would be useful but you can add one for $5 or so.

A keeper. Change strings and check set up and play!!!

You get what you pay for – Bought an Ashton 12 string with pickup (D20/12EQ) for A$190 online. My primary guitar is a Maton, but I'm separated from it during the coronavirus lockdown, so I wanted a cheapo guitar to bash away on in the meantime. The reviews here are unrealistically over the top about how good Ashton is. The guitar does sound pretty good to be sure, although … Read more

I must disagree with some of the comments below and say that it doesn't compare to Maton by any stretch of the imagination. Certainly not. On the other hand, it does sound way better than the $300 Martinez I started learning on 20 years ago. So for a cheap guitar it definitely does punch above its weight sound-wise. It's also great value, of course - to get an acoustic/electric with a built-in tuner for sub $200 is totally insane. However, the workmanship on the guitar is pretty average. The wood around the soundhole hasn't been sanded down properly, so it looks pretty rough and unfinished in places. The strap button has been screwed in sloppily so that it's not centred on the neck. The saddle was insanely high, so that the guitar was difficult to play, particularly further up the fretboard. I had to spend an hour adjusting the neck and sanding down the saddle. Not the biggest deal in the world, but given that these are cheap guitars generally sold to beginners, it would be good if they were easily playable out of the box. If you are looking at buying one of these, make sure the shop will adjust the string height for you as part of the sale price, unless you're comfortable doing it yourself. If you end up having to spend more down the line to get the guitar adjusted by someone, you may as well spend more on a better made guitar in the first place. All in all though, I'm happy with this guitar - at this kind of price point it's a pretty good option.

Great Guitar for the price – Picked this up for $200 with case. I've checked 100s over the last 40 years, from top line Martins, Gibson and all prices etc. Top sound for a cheap guitar, did check several, as most instruments, same brand and model, can have a different sound.

bang bang – I purchased this guitar at cash converters. Stating their prices are over the top however i purchased this ashton D20 for $160 with hardcase? I played a em325 maton for most of my 30 years of life yet this little baby with new strings keeps up although i cant plug in i dont care. Very happy with my buitiful ashton. It is a work of art. Even to look at.

Wow, bang for buck – I feel like I just got a fat lady for under $200. This el cheapo solid top just sings. Frets could be dressed but the sound it throws out right off the rack is awesome for the price. My new go to guitar, and I have some pricey Matons and Cole Clark s. Next to get a pick up put in it. The tone and the volume. Really puches above its weight. Nthing really, unless you count no scratch plate and no pickups or preamp. Show 6 replies