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Epiphone DR-100 Review – Dollar for Dollar, Is This The Best Acoustic Guitar For The Money?

The Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic at a glance:

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar Overview

Given Gibson’s long history of quality acoustic guitars it should be no surprise that Epiphone has a quality budget option of their own.

Much like Yamaha and Fender’s offerings, the Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic is targeted at serving beginners and pros alike, especially electric guitar players who will love the DR-100’s neck.

Available in black, natural, or sunburst, it should be pretty easy for any player to enjoy the DR-100. The familiar dreadnought shape and Epiphone’s long track record of customer satisfaction make it a must try acoustic.

From a Storied Acoustic Maker Comes a Budget Friendly Option: The Epiphone DR-100

An Acoustic Meant for Players of All Levels

Much like Fender/Squier, Epiphone is the little brother of the guitar giants Gibson. Their lineage of high quality acoustic and electric guitars helped them craft the DR-100 to be incredibly player friendly.

The DR-100 features upgraded tone woods when compared to some similarly priced acoustics, but retains the slim, fast neck that makes it easy for beginners to play.

That same slim neck profile also makes the acoustic a great option for players who mainly play the electric guitar.

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Who is the Epiphone DR-100 for?

The Epiphone DR-100 is certainly best suited for beginners, thanks to the affordable price tag and friendly features.

Despite having somewhat rough fret edges, the neck is fast, smooth, and slim making it easy on the hands of beginner guitarists.

Having a guitar that doesn’t discourage you from playing it can do wonders for students, making it an important part of the DR-100’s appeal.

For experienced players who just want an acoustic guitar to add to their arsenal, the DR-100 is an affordable options from a company they likely know and trust already.

What’s In the Box?

Unlike some of its competitors, the Epiphone DR-100 isn’t often sold as part of a value or beginner pack. You’re more likely to find the guitar available by itself, as they often don’t even come with a gig bag or case.

To some beginner’s this may limit the value of the DR-100, as others come with a bag, guitar strap, tuner, picks, and extra strings.

However, the DR-100 is still really affordable, well under $200, and is a quality product that won’t let you down. Plus you can tailor your accessories to suit your specific needs later.

If you’re strongly considering a DR-100, carefully consider how much budget room you will have left for the necessary accessories.

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Read the Latest DR-100 Acoustic Reviews Here! >>

DR-100 Acoustic Features

Epiphone’s DR-100 is a very straightforward and simple acoustic guitar, which helps keep the price so low. The Select Spruce top is paired with a Mahogany body and neck, giving it a bass heavy, full bodied acoustic tone.

The slim taper neck features a Rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays, and the neck meets the body at the 15th fret. The Rosewood bridge is also carefully selected to help stand up the high tension points where the strings meet the pin holders.

Epiphone’s DR-100 features their well known sloped dove-wing headstock as well as die cast hardware, including chrome tuners.

The dreadnought shape gives the guitar a balanced acoustic tone, making it great for rock, folk, or country players alike. Beginner guitarists and songwriters will both be impressed by the volume of the guitar, making it easy to hear and play.

However, without many of the extras featured included in the competitors value packages, you may be left wanting for a capo or guitar strap.

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Highlights

• Select Spruce top
• Reliable chrome tuners
• Rosewood bridge looks great against top
• Resonant, bass heavy tones
• Slim, fast neck

See it in Action

For a look at the DR-100 in action, check out this linked video demonstration! You’ll notice the full, warm tones of the Mahogany-made acoustic, as well as all the styles it can cover thanks to its versatile and fast neck taper.

Available Colors:

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100, Dreadnought Acoustic...

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100, Dreadnought Acoustic...

Pros and Cons

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar Review

Waht are DR-100 Acoustic Customers Saying? >>

Other Affordable Acoustics to Try

There are plenty of sub-$200 acoustics on the market, some of which stack up just as good as the Epiphone DR-100.

Another top seller, the Squier SA-150 is considered to be a bit more resonant and lightweight thanks to the Basswood body. Plus you can get it as part of a nice beginner package, that will set you up with picks, a strap, tuner, and capo!

Yamaha’s FG800 is another high quality, sub-$200 guitar that many people would call the SA-150’s rival. The FG800 is a bit more of a bright sounding acoustic, that chimes and rings out.

The lighter Nato tone wood is what causes this, as opposed to the bass heavy Mahogany used in the Squier SA-150.

YAMAHA FG800 Solid Top Acoustic...

Overall though, it has many similarities including chrome die cast tuners, a laminated top wood, and can be bought as part of a value pack.

Willing to go a bit above $200? Takamine’s G Series GD20 Dreadnought is comparable in quality but for an extra hundred or so dollars.

With a solid Cedar top and Mahogany back and sides, the upgraded tone wood will provide a bit more volume and bass response from the G Series dreadnought.

The slim-satin finish on this guitar is a bit nicer than the gloss on the SA-150, making it feel and cost a bit more than the SA-150 Dreadnought.

Final Thoughts: Is the DR-100 Acoustic a Good Guitar for You?

It’s hard to go wrong the Epiphone DR-100 guitar, and it is one of their top selling acoustics for a reason.

Epiphone’s affordable take on the dreadnought body design is warm, loud, and comfortable to play. The longstanding legacy of Epiphone and Gibson acoustics also should give you plenty of confidence in the brand to meet your demands.

Some players may wish the acoustic had a bit more top end, but for under $200 it is still quite a bargain. It’s a versatile and fun guitar, simple as that!

While some of the fret ends can be a bit rough, I think any player who picks it up will feel right at home.

Check Today's Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Price! >>

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