Product Description

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Artist DELTA3EQ Handbuilt OM Size Acoustic Electric Guitar & Hard Case

The Artist Delta3EQ builds on the legacy of the bestselling Artist Delta2EQ, raising the bar to become one of the finest acoustic guitars we've ever made. Meticulously handcrafted by the same team of 5 skilled luthiers who brought the Artist GG1EQ to life, the Delta3EQ is constructed from the finest woods available, with a AAA grade solid Sitka Spruce top and solid Mahogany back and sides, yielding a guitar with fantastic articulation and incredible warmth - particularly for an OM sized guitar. A one-piece Mahogany neck and Ebony fretboard are topped with 20 frets, constructed from 25% nickel for long-lasting durability - the Delta3EQ will only get better with age, taking on the life of every rainy street and smoky bar you find yourself playing in.

Designed with the scalloped "X" bracing pioneered by pre-war Martins, the lowered mass of the bracing allows the Delta3EQ's Sitka spruce top to "move" in natural synergy with a player's attack. This produces both increased volume and an enhanced bass and low-mid response; a vintage-inspired sound more akin to the guitar tones of Robert Johnson and Son House than more modern acoustic players. Crafted from the finest woods, the Delta3EQ features European Spruce for the top bracing, back center bracing, and reverse kerfing, while African Mahogany braces the solid Mahogany back.  

After extensive testing, a Tusq saddle was selected for its unmatched tonal qualities, offering sweeter, more defined harmonics in the mid-treble range compared to bone or ivory, and significantly enhancing sustain. The Artist Guitars team has carefully fine-tuned every contact point between the strings and the guitar to ensure maximum resonance and a truly vibrant tone. With a 44.5mm Tusq nut and high-ratio Der Jung tuning machines, the Delta3EQ offers unparalleled tuning stability and profound resonance throughout the frequency spectrum.

With an Ebony fingerboard and bridge, herringbone binding, compensated Tusq saddle, and a set of ultra-reliable high-ratio vintage machine heads rounding out the litany of high-end appointments on this guitar, the Delta3EQ may be perfect for playing the Mississippi blues, but you'll be hard-pressed to do so without a smile on your face...

 

 


The Tech Features

Body
Back & Sides Material: Solid African Mahogany
Back & Sides Finish: Gloss
Body Shape: OM
Binding: Herringbone

Top
Top Material: Solid AAA Sitka Spruce
Top Finish: Satin
Purfling: Multi Stripe
Rosette: Herringbone
Bracing: European Spruce and African Mahogany
Bridge Material: Ebony

Neck
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Construction: One Piece
Neck Joint: Dove-Tail
Neck Finish: Satin
Scale Length: 648mm / 25.5"
Fretboard Material: African Ebony
Fretboard Radius: 400mm
Number of Frets: 20 Frets
Fret Material: 25% Nickel w/ Rounded Fret Ends
Nut Material: Tusq
Nut Width: 44.5mm / 1.75"
Position Inlays: White Shell Dots
Binding: Maple
Side Dots: White Shell Dots
Truss Rod: Dual Action 2-Way

Hardware & Electronics
Preamp: Fishman INK 401
Saddle: Tusq
Machine Heads: Der Jung Open Back
Pickguard: N/A

Miscellaneous/Special Features
Strings: D'Addario EXP16
Weight: TBC

Accessories
Included Accessories: Artist FC350 Hard Case, 9V Battery, Truss Rod Adjustment Key
Optional Hard Cases: N/A
Optional Soft Bags: HGBAG42

(18602)


Reviews (1)

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Hand-built perfection!

By: on 9 July 2025
I should start this review by saying I’m no Tommy Emmanuel on guitar — in my band, I’m primarily a bassist (seven basses, but who’s counting (apart from my wife :-) ?). But I still need to play guitar occasionally and, for that purpose, I do have a couple of acoustic-electrics, including a Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster. However, as good as the Fender is, what I’ve been yearning for lately is a “real” hand-built acoustic-electric. And that’s where this Delta3EQ comes in. ….. DELIVERY: Road delivery was a bit longer than I impatiently wanted, but big packages like this are expensive to ship by air, I guess. Packaging was perfectly adequate, and the guitar was well protected anyway by its included hard case. ….. INCLUSIONS: As mentioned, a lockable hard case (with a key), plus a couple of picks (to add to my vast collection!), a truss rod adjuster, and a manual for the Fishman Pre-amp.….. HARD CASE: The hard case is Artist’s FC350, which is a decent enough case even if you purchased it separately. Good latches, suitably-plush interior, small storage pocket (but big enough for spare strings / capo / battery / etc.), and just right for an OM-sized guitar. ….. BUILD & FINISH: Over the years, I’ve bought many a guitar/bass/mando/uke/etc from AG, and have always been happy. That being so (and given the hand-built pedigree of this model), I expected immaculate, and I got … immaculate. This really is a very beautiful guitar in every respect. No blemishes, no sharp fret ends, bright and shiny, perfect! ….. ELECTRONICS & SOUND: The specs of this guitar are well covered on the AG website, so no point in repeating all that here. However, I will mention the Fishman INK 401 pre-amp system, because there isn’t a lot of technical detail listed on that. It has a 3-band EQ (the usual Bass/Mid/Treble), plus “Brilliance” and Volume controls. There’s also an on-board tuner — I like the fact that it turns itself off after three minutes of inactivity. Runs off a standard 9V battery, of course (supplied). Sound can be adjusted quite adequately with the on-board controls, but I also have a Boss EQ-200 10-band EQ and a Joyo D-Seed II Delay on my pedalboard for additional tweaking. The overall result is a sweet-sounding guitar that somehow makes me sound like a better guitarist than I really am. I’m still a bassist at heart, but I don’t wanna put this thing down!…… PLAYABILITY: This is the beauty of a hand-built guitar — precise construction, with the action set just right (for me, anyway), and the intonation absolutely spot on. (In fact, the most accurate intonation I’ve ever seen in a new guitar, which is comforting, because acoustic intonation isn’t easily adjustable.) Forming chords even on the higher frets is a breeze. It comes with D’Addario EXP16 strings (12-53), although I may fit 11-52s next string change. ….. OVERALL: I’ve owned more expensive guitars than this (Ovation, Fender, etc.), but quite honestly the Delta3EQ is right up there with the best of them all in terms of build, sound, set-up, and attention to every tiny detail. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying it’s better than any of them. Put simply, it’s that good.

Artist Guitars Response
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