Jasmine S34C Review

– Tuning Machines

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On this Jasmine S34C, the tuning machines are die cast, made of chrome, and have a classic solid surface design.

• Material: Chrome
• Design: Classic solid surface

One of the most significant pieces of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (commonly referred as “tuners”).

They’re in charge of keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the desired pitch.

Poor-quality tuning machines can lead your guitar to quickly fall out of tune and be difficult to tune.

They can also make it difficult to change the strings, and make the guitar generally more difficult to play.

Must Remember:

Good tuning machines are made of strong and durable materials and have a precise and smooth action.

You’d want to look for materials such as nickel-plated steel, or stainless steel, which are less likely to rust.

These materials are also less likely to tarnish, so your guitar should maintain its appearance for a longer time period.

– Pickguard

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The Jasmine S34C is available with a black pickguard with a plain design.

• Color: Black
• Design: Plain

The pickguard is a little piece of plastic or metal attached near the strings on the guitar’s body.

Its aim is to prevent the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish as you play.

Most pickguards are made of either plastic or metal, and nowadays maybe even carbon fiber, and there are a few different designs that you’ll come across.

A good pickguard needs to be made of a tough material that can handle being used often.

It should also be placed in such a way that it will effectively protect the guitar’s body from scratches produced by the player’s pick.

As for appearance, a pickguard should also look good with the rest of the guitar.

It shouldn’t be too intrusive or stand out too much, but it also shouldn’t be so small or low-quality that it looks out of place.

– Strap Buttons

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Both strap buttons on the Jasmine S34C are constructed of standard chrome and appear to be fairly strong.

• Material: Standard Chrome
• Position: Bottom and side of heel
• Design: Classic

Strap buttons are little metal buttons on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.

One on either side of the body, most guitars will generally feature two strap buttons.

Metal strap buttons should be solid and strong to avoid coming loose over time.

Even though for most people, whether the strap buttons are good or not won’t be a deal-breaker for them, it’s still something to keep in mind.

Body

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The bridge, neck, and strings are all connected to the guitar’s body.

It also has a hole in it (the “soundhole”) which allows sound to resonate from the inside of the instrument.

Most guitars have a wooden body, although others have carbon fiber, metal, or even plastic bodies (less usual).

– Wood

If you’re looking for a specific tone, bear in mind that the type of wood chosen for the body might impact the sound of the guitar.

The Jasmine S34C has a spruce top with a sapele back and sapele sides.

– Finish

The guitar’s body finish is the last layer of protection for the wood.

When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a gloss finish.

This is what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other damages.

You’ll come across a variety of finishes, including the following:

• Polyurethane
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Polyester

Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.

It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.

Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.

Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:

• Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.

• Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.

• Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.

– Colors Available

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The color of a guitar’s body is typically not a significant factor in the overall tone.

It can, however, affect the instrument’s appearance and feel.

Some people prefer a guitar that’s a certain color because it matches their style, or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.

Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:

• Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
• Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
• Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.

– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins

The Jasmine S34C has a standard pin bridge with black-colored plastic pins and a saddle made of synthetic bone.

Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.

For instance, the bridge is in charge of transmitting string vibrations to the guitar’s body.

The saddle, which is commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.

And the pins are what hold the strings in place.

There are several types of bridges, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The three most common styles of bridges on acoustic guitars are:

• Pin bridges (standard)
• Pinless bridges
• Classical bridge

The most frequent form of bridge is the pin bridge, which is also the simplest to replace.

However, they can be a bit more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the correct position.

Pinless bridges are less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.

They also have the advantage of not requiring any pins, which can be a pain to keep track of.

Lastly, classical guitar bridges are only used on classical guitars.

They are similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.

Said hole is used to tie the string down, which gives the guitar a much cleaner look.

Now, the type of saddle you choose is also important; plastic saddles are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they don’t last as long as bone saddles.

Bone saddles are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:

• Plastic bridge pins
• Steel bridge pins
• Brass bridge pins

Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they’re also the least durable.

Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable.

Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable.

Neck

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When it comes to the Jasmine S34C, its neck is made of nato and has a Slim shape with an adjustable truss rod.

The neck is the thin, long piece of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is usually constructed of wood.

Because different woods have distinct qualities that influence how the vibrations created by the strings behave, the type of wood chosen for the neck can alter the guitar’s playability and sound.

The most common type of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the body of the guitar.

Another popular type is the set-neck, which is glued to the body.

Guitar necks have a few important parts, which include: the fretboard, the frets, the nut, and the truss rod.

Fretboard

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The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push down on the strings.

It’s most commonly made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or even metal.

As for the Jasmine S34C, it has a fretboard made of rosewood with pearloid dots inlays:

Despite the fact that this has long been a source of debate, it is generally accepted that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a minor impact on the sound of the guitar.

For instance, maple is a popular material for electric guitars because it tends to produce a very sharp tone.

Rosewood is another popular choice, and it is frequently used on acoustic guitars because it produces a warm, full-bodied tone.

Ebony is yet another popular choice, and it’s often used on guitars that are meant to have a really clean, clear sound.

There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The type of fretboard you choose is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar, the tone of the guitar won’t be significantly different, but the feel of the guitar will be.

Review

Jasmine S-34C Acoustic Guitar Review