Silver Creek Pictures and Review!

I got my Silver Creek D-170 today from music123 fully prepared to send it back if something were wrong. I have to say I'm impressed. There isn't a lot of information (or real photos) out there so I thought I'd share mine.

All solid woods! Spruce/Rosewood dreadnaught, basically a low price import version of a D-28. Is this as good as a real D-28? No, but it is VERY good for what it costs. In fact I would say it would be good for twice it's price.

I have owned many fine acoustics incuding, a D-18, 3 Larrivees, Vintage Alvarez-Yairi's, and I've played many many more.

Right out of the box here's my thoughts:

-Action and intonation are actually very good.
-Wood looks above quality for the price.
-Very nice neck shape (thick, but not too thick)
-Love the Volute
-Tuners look a little cheap as do the pins but what do you expect? I will say that so far the tuners are working fine.
-Balanced rosewood dread sound, already opening up. Not the bass of a Martin but not bad either.
-Decent volume (I expect it to "open up" with time and playing)
-Ugly label on inside.
-Not the cleanest job of sanding on the inside but not too bad.
-I like the headstock inlay more than I thought I would. I'd prefer a more dressed down look (ala Martin) but it's growing on me.
-The back and sides look to be stained darker, probably to cover "imperfections" in the rosewood. I would rather it be natural but not really a big deal. It is very handsome.
-Not sure what the nut and saddle are made of.
-Finish job is pretty good. As for the finish itself, I'm sure it's some cheap poly.

With music123's $40 off anniversary discount and free shipping it came to a total of $259! Although, I still consider it a steal at $299

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In what ways does your Silver Creek dred differ from a Johnson Carolina dred form a couple years back? I owned one of the latter and aside from the fact that it had a laminated back and side it otherwise looks very, very much like your photos. Similar but not identical inlay work, what appear to be exactly the same tuners, as far as I can recall the same binding and endpin, very close to the same headstock shape and I believe an identical pickguard. I must say the finish on yours is much glossier than on the J-C's I saw and your fingerboard looks to be of very good quality for an inexpensive Asian instrument.

My Johnson Carolina was pretty open sounding from the get-go. It was my first guitar and I initially had extra-light strings (10's) put on it and it still had an open sound. Once I switched to 11's it was a boomer. I know what you mean about the bass not being exactly Martin-like (but what is?) but still being sufficient. With my eyes closed and someone else playing it I doubt I'd ever want to spend more than $259 (or whatever) on a guitar again but in my case the narrow nut and narrow string spacing at the bridge was a deal breaker (fingerstyle, you know).

What are the dimensions on your Silver Creek? I'd love to see one of their 000-sized guitars which do have wide spacing and look every bit as nice as the dreds, at least in the catalog.

In what ways does your Silver Creek dred differ from a Johnson Carolina dred form a couple years back? I owned one of the latter and aside from the fact that it had a laminated back and side it otherwise looks very, very much like your photos. Similar but not identical inlay work, what appear to be exactly the same tuners, as far as I can recall the same binding and endpin, very close to the same headstock shape and I believe an identical pickguard. I must say the finish on yours is much glossier than on the J-C's I saw and your fingerboard looks to be of very good quality for an inexpensive Asian instrument.

My Johnson Carolina was pretty open sounding from the get-go. It was my first guitar and I initially had extra-light strings (10's) put on it and it still had an open sound. Once I switched to 11's it was a boomer. I know what you mean about the bass not being exactly Martin-like (but what is?) but still being sufficient. With my eyes closed and someone else playing it I doubt I'd ever want to spend more than $259 (or whatever) on a guitar again but in my case the narrow nut and narrow string spacing at the bridge was a deal breaker (fingerstyle, you know).

What are the dimensions on your Silver Creek? I'd love to see one of their 000-sized guitars which do have wide spacing and look every bit as nice as the dreds, at least in the catalog.

First of all, the nut feels like a regular 1 11/16ths just like any other dreadnaughts. I know it says 1 5/8 on the description, but I believe that is incorrect. I have read several reviews where people have measured the nut and thay said it is in fact 1 11/16.

I know the 000 model (t) is 24.9 scale while some of the descriptions list it as different.

Some have said that these are made in the same factory as the johnson carolinas and may even be basically the same guitars but with different logos.

Some people like the booming bass of a traditional Martin dread (including me) but some feel it is overpowering. This guitar is pretty well balanced between the strings.

How's the Creeks's neck backshape?

How's the Creeks's neck backshape?

It is very comfortable. I would call it a "chunky" D shape. Not too big but just right.

Amazing what you can get for 3 bills, huh? Thanks for the review and pics.

Thanks for the review, Stuco. I have the little brother of your D-170, the T-160 and my impressions generally mirror yours.

My review of the T-160 is here: http://www.tdpri.com/forum/acoustic-heaven/99173-silver-creek-t-160-pics.html

One detail of the construction of these guitars has recently come to my attention and it's that they use a different method of attaching the neck that will require major surgery for a neck reset should it become necessary. I'm not sure that this is the case, but feel that it's important to realize that it may be. I'm not that worried about this possibility in a guitar in this price range and feel that the Silver Creeks are real bargains.

You can find a discussion of the neck attachment here: http://theunofficialblueridgeguitarforum18213.yuku.com/topic/2637/t/Just-ordered-a-Silver-Creek-D-160.html?page=3

By the way, if you've ordered from MF lately, they're having a "secret sale" and have a flyer in with your order that you can get these for $249.

Thanks again for the thorough review.

Cassady

Cassady, I didn't realize that about the neck but I guess a neck reset would probably cost more than the total price anyway so if that day comes, I will probably just have a slide guitar :).

I did get the "secret sale" catalog, but I ordered from music123. They are the same company now I believe.

I have really been enjoying this guitar. I am more and more surprised by the quality and tone. I would definately recommend a silver creek if you are looking for THE best deal in an all solid wood guitar.