Walden Concorda CG530

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on August 14, 2012 at 3:21pm

I had the opportunity to play a D710 awhile ago, and I, too, was struck by the Englemann Spruce/Indian Rosewood combination - and I like your description.

Your D710 has a solid back as well, whereas the CG530 has laminate back and sides.  Cedar vs. Spruce and high gloss finish vs. satin finish completes the differences - oh, and the D710 is a dread, while the CG530 is a Grand Auditorium.

I'm glad you like what you have - I don't think I've ever heard a cedar/rosewood combination - I'd like to...

Here's a few pics of your guitars:

D710:

CG530:

Ah - the CG530 is a discontinued model - hope you got a good deal - that's why it didn't sound familiar... ;-)

Permalink Reply by Lee MacMillan on August 15, 2012 at 1:36pm

I think cedar is typically a lot darker sounding than spruce. Some folks like that and some don't.

Permalink Reply by FloridaGull on August 15, 2012 at 4:42pm

I, personally, find the Grand Auditorium body to be more comfortable to play.  How do you feel about this?  And, do you feel that the Grand Auditorium has any less projection or volume than your dread?

Permalink Reply by John Storey on August 16, 2012 at 10:17am

I'm still undecided about the relative comfort of playing Grand Auditorium as opposed to Dreadnought. I find that the increased width of the lower bout and the narrower waist appear to make me more conscious of the crook of my arm being raised higher than it would be with a dreadnought. I think that for me at least there is not a lot in it in comfort terms. I have a Washburn WF10S folk size guitar which has the same size upper bout as the GA with a narrower lower bout and less depth and that is extremely comfortable to play sitting down. Unfortunately it has neither the tonal qualities or projection of either Walden.
In terms of volume and projection, I think that the D710 beats the CG530 but not by a great amount. Of course I'm ignoring the fact that the D710 has heavier gauge strings than the CG530 but that's probably a whole different ball game. 

Permalink Reply by Lee MacMillan on August 16, 2012 at 1:56pm

I'm with you, especially when sitting.  Standing I don't notice a whole lot of difference.  Just looked on Walden's site and the GA is 1/8" wider in the lower bout and 1/4" thinner in depth.  To me, the shallower depth makes a bigger difference in comfort.  I do think the GA (at least the Walden version) gives up a little bass response compared to my two non-Walden dreads.