Kadence A281 Review – An Affordable Acoustic Wonder

Hi Fellas!

I recently got to play the Kadence A281 at a friend’s house. It provided me with a good opportunity to write the Kadence A281 review here.

So, let’s begin.

Kadence A281 is an excellent option for beginners, especially for those who don’t want to shell out a ton of cash for a guitar in the ₹7,000-₹9,000 price range.

Unboxing Experience – What to expect?

The guitar comes with double packaging, which is always a good sign. After tearing through the layers, you’ll finally see it – the Kadence A281, in all its glory. I’ve spent some time putting it to the test, and below is my honest opinion about this guitar.

At the end of this review, we will see whether this guitar is value for money or not.

What Features To Look For in a Budget Acoustic Guitar?

When buying a budget acoustic guitar, there are a few key features you need to look for. You don’t want to buy a guitar just because it looks good. That’s a classic rookie mistake.

Some of the things to consider are:

• Body size and shape: 
  Dreadnought and grand auditorium bodies offer a balanced sound with good volume, while folk and parlor guitars are more portable.
• Tonewood: 
  Spruce produces a bright, clear sound, while mahogany is warmer and more mellow.
• Neck profile: 
  Choose a neck profile that feels comfortable in your hand.
• Action: 
  A low action makes the guitar easier to play, but it can also lead to buzzing. A high action makes the guitar more difficult to play, but it reduces buzzing.
• Hardware: 
  Make sure the hardware is sturdy and well-made.

Other things to keep in mind include price, brand, and reviews.

If you want to read a detailed buying guide for almost all guitars, then check out our blog on the ultimate guitar-buying guide.

Kadence A281 Review

Now that it’s established what to look for in a budget acoustic guitar, Let’s review the guitar.

We’ll focus on the following aspects:

• Design, Specifications and Build Quality
• Sound Quality
• Playability
• Value For Money
• Competitive Analysis

Finally, we’ll talk about the pros and cons and conclude our review.

Design, Specifications And Build Quality

The Kadence A281 guitar features an all-laminate construction with an Agathis wood top. Despite being Agathis wood, it looks pretty snazzy and resembles a laminated spruce top.

The back and sides are made of mahogany, and it sports a multi-ply binding on the top and black binding on the back and neck. Plus, it has a matte satin finish, which adds to its appeal.

You’ve got two color options to choose from: natural and black.

The neck is made of mahogany and boasts a comfortable C-shape profile, perfect for beginners.

There’s also a feature called a volute on the neck, which provides some extra strength and helps prevent neck damage in case your guitar takes a tumble.

Moving on to the fretboard and bridge, both are made of tech rosewood, and the fretwork is pretty solid. The guitar comes with die-cast tuning keys for precise tuning.

Freebies

Now, let’s talk about the freebies you get with this guitar.

As I mentioned before, You’ll receive a thin padded bag, which is decent for storing your guitar at home, especially if you’re learning online.

If you’re planning on taking your guitar on the road frequently, you might want to invest in a more substantial padded bag.

Also, there’s an Allen key included.

And here’s the cool part: you get access to a beginner-friendly course with Kadence guitars. It’s a neat add-on because it’s accessible right after you receive the guitar, allowing you to kickstart your guitar lessons.

Below is the summary of the Kadence A281’s features and specifications.

Feature	Specification
Design	Round
Body	Dreadnought
Nut Width	43mm
Neck	Mahagony
Fretboard	Rosewood
Frets	20 Frets
Scale	25.3″ (643mm)
Inbuilt Tunner	No
Inlays	Dotted Inlays
Rosette	Pearl Acryl Rosette
Bridge	Rosewood
Strings	Kadence Phosphor Bronze
Bracing	X-Hybrid Bracing
Size	41″
Equalizer	No

Price and Purchase Options

Now, the price – you can snag this guitar for around ₹6,000, but it might vary slightly depending on where you purchase it.

Keep an eye out for any upcoming sales that could save you a few bucks.

It’s available on Amazon, the Kadence website, and Flipkart, so be sure to compare prices before making your decision.

Sound Quality and Performance

The sound of the guitar depends on a number of factors. To gauge how a guitar would sound, you can do a 10-factor Analysis, as mentioned in our blog.

Coming to Kadence A281, you can check out the video below to get an idea about how it sounds.

Tone:
The Kadence A281 guitar offers a warm and pleasing tone. Despite its affordable price tag of around ₹6,000, it manages to deliver a decent and balanced acoustic sound.

The Agathis wood top, although not a premium choice, surprisingly provides a tone that’s quite similar to a laminated spruce top.

This warm tone makes it suitable for various playing styles, from strumming to fingerpicking.

Volume:
In terms of volume projection, the Kadence A281 doesn’t disappoint. It offers good volume for its price range, allowing your music to be heard clearly, whether you’re playing alone at home or in a small gathering.

This is an important factor for beginners who want to experiment with different playing dynamics.

Unique Characteristics:
While the Kadence A281 may not have many unique characteristics, it does offer a valuable feature in the form of a volute on the neck.

This volute provides extra strength to the neck, reducing the risk of damage in case the guitar takes a fall.

It’s a small but meaningful addition, especially for beginners who might not be as cautious with their instruments.

Playability

My overall experience with this guitar has been positive. Right out of the box, it was playable without any major adjustments.

It’s easy to hold and play, which is crucial for those who are just starting their guitar journey. The fretwork is also well done, ensuring that you can smoothly move your fingers across the fretboard without any hindrance.

The only minor hiccup I encountered was the stock strings, which were a bit thin for my liking. I ended up switching them out for a different set, which improved the tone and tuning stability.

Value For Money

For about ₹7,000, the Kadence A281 offers great value for money, making it an excellent choice for those who want a quality guitar without breaking the bank.

If you’ve got a tighter budget and don’t want to spend ₹7,000-₹10,000, this guitar could be your ideal pick.

Kadence A281 vs the Competition

Here’s a comparison of the Kadence A281 with some popular guitars around 10000 rupees.

Model	Price	Tone Quality	Playability	Notable Features
Kadence A281	Check on Amazon	Warm and balanced	Comfortable C-shape neck, Volute on neck	Good value, suitable for beginners
Cort AD810	Check on Amazon	Balanced and warm	Durable, easy to play	Sturdy build, suitable for beginners
Fender CD60	Check on Amazon	Clear and warm	Comfortable, stylish design	Reliable brand, good for various genres
Epiphone DR-100	Check on Amazon	Warm and mellow	Comfortable, durable build	Budget-friendly, great for beginners
Ibanez V50NJP	Check on Amazon	Clear and balanced	Easy playability, starter pack

Let’s compare the Kadence A281 with its biggest competitor: The Yamaha F280

Feature	Kadence A281	Yamaha F280
Back	Mahogany	Tonewood **
Neck	Mahogany	Tonewood **
Fretboard	Tech Rosewood	Rosewood
No. of Frets	20	21
Pickup Configuration	No	No
Bridge	Rosewood	Rosewood
Nut Width	43 mm	43 mm
Neck Profile	C-Shape	Not specified
Inlays	Dots	Dots
Hardware	Die-cast tuning keys	Die-cast tuning keys
	Check Price	Check Price

Pros and Cons

Based on whatever we have discussed so far, below are the pros and cons of the Kadence A281 Guitar.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my experience with the Kadence A281 has been great. You can definitely go for this guitar if your budget doesn’t allow you to go any higher than 7000 INR.

If you’ve had any experiences with this guitar or if you’re planning to get one, please share your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback can help out the entire guitar community.

And, of course, if you found this Kadence A281 review useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family.

That’s a wrap for today! Until next time, happy strumming! ✌️🎸

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Kadence A281 guitar:

Is the Kadence A281 a good choice for beginners?

Yes, the Kadence A281 is a great option for beginners due to its affordable price, comfortable playability, and decent sound quality.

What type of wood is used for the top of the Kadence A281?

The top of the Kadence A281 is made from Agathis wood, which provides a warm and balanced tone.

Are there color options available for the Kadence A281?

The Kadence A281 is available in natural and black color options.

Does the Kadence A281 come with any accessories?

Yes, it comes with a thin padded bag and an Allen key. Additionally, it includes access to a free course for beginners.

Can I replace the stock strings on the Kadence A281 with my preferred ones?

Yes, you can replace the stock strings with strings of your choice to achieve your desired tone and playability.

Is the guitar durable and suitable for everyday practice?

The Kadence A281 is known for its durability and is a reliable choice for daily practice and learning.

What is the price range of the Kadence A281?

The guitar is typically priced around ₹6,000, but prices may vary depending on the seller and any ongoing sales or promotions.

Does the Kadence A281 have any special features?

One notable feature is the volute on the neck, which provides added strength and durability to the guitar.

Where can I purchase the Kadence A281?

You can find the Kadence A281 on websites like Amazon, the Kadence website, and Flipkart. It’s a good idea to compare prices and deals on these platforms.

Is the Kadence A281 recommended for players with a higher budget?

If you have a higher budget, you might consider guitars in a higher price range for even better sound quality. The Kadence A281 is ideal for those looking for quality on a budget.