New Zealand
United Kingdom
Artist NTL1 Amber Burst Nylon Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- In Stock
- Nylon String
- Piezo Acoustic Pickup with Preamp
- Ultra Slim 44.5mm body
- Canadian Maple Neck
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Artist NTL1 Amber Burst Nylon Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The Artist NTL1 is built for players who love the warm, expressive sound of nylon strings but prefer the comfort and playability of an electric guitar. Whether you're exploring classical pieces, fingerstyle arrangements, jazz, flamenco, or modern progressive music, the NTL1 offers a unique playing experience that feels instantly familiar.
Featuring an ultra-thin 44.5mm body with a comfortable belly contour, the NTL1 is lightweight, ergonomic, and ideal for long practice sessions or live performances. The slim C-shaped neck and Purple Heart fretboard with elegant walnut binding provide a fast, comfortable playing surface, making the transition from electric guitar to nylon strings easier than ever. The onboard piezo pickup delivers the natural character and clarity of nylon strings, while the straightforward single volume and tone controls make it quick and easy to dial in your sound on stage or in the studio. Whether you're plugging into an acoustic amplifier, PA system, or recording interface, the NTL1 is ready to perform.
As with every Artist guitar, we've equipped the NTL1 with quality components throughout. High-ratio tuning machines provide excellent tuning stability, while the genuine bone nut and saddle maximise sustain, resonance, and tonal clarity. The Purple Heart bridge complements the instrument's rich, warm voice and durable construction. Finished in a striking Amber Burst, the NTL1 combines contemporary styling with premium appointments, making it an inspiring instrument to play and a standout addition to any collection.
(18166)
The Tech Features
Body
Body Material: Okoume
Body Finish: Amber Burst
Body Paint: Polyurethane
Body Construction: Solid
Neck
Neck Material: Okoume
Neck Construction: Scarfed
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Neck Finish: Gloss
Neck Shape: 21mm C Profile
Scale Length: 648mm / 25.5"
Fretboard Material: Purple Heart
Fretboard Radius: 350mm / 14"
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Material: 25% Nickel
Fret Size: Medium
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 46mm / 113⁄16 ”
Position Inlays: N/A
Binding: N/A
Side Dots: White
Truss Rod: Dual Action 2-Way
Electronics
Pickup: Piezo Acoustic Pickup with Preamp/EQ
Switching: N/A
Configuration: Piezo Acoustic Pickup
Special Electronics: Preamp, EQ
Hardware
Bridge: Purple Heart w/ Bone Saddle
Hardware Finish: Black/Gold
Machine Heads: Classical Tuning Machines, Black/Gold
Pickguard: N/A
Miscellaneous/Special Features
Strings:
Weight: 2.8-3.2kg
Accessories
Included Accessories: Instrument Cable, Truss Rod Adjustment Key, Picks
Optional Bags: HGBAGST, BAGST
We use Courier services to ship our goods to you as fast as possible. Once the package leaves our warehouse the time to your door depends on your location, and any reported delays in your area.
We ship all orders for free. All deliveries are insured so if an item arrives damaged we'll happily refund or replace it for you. Check our warranty page for more information.
Purchases with Artist Guitars come with a 3-year Warranty. Warranty is only valid to the original purchaser and in the original country of purchase. Please take note of your order number to help us verify your purchase in the event of a warranty claim.
If the issue can be fixed by replacing a part, we will send it to you free of charge. Spare parts are shipped from our office in Sydney, Australia. If more extensive work is required our Customer Happiness department will arrange a free return slip or courier collection to get your item returned for further assessment.
Also included in your warranty is our industry leading 100 Days Change of Mind Policy
If you're not completely satisfied with the quality of any of our products, we'll be happy to arrange a free return of your product for an exchange or full refund, including any shipping charges. This also covers instances where you may have bought the wrong size or if you simply change your mind.
If you do require a return, just Open a Support Ticket and we'll either send you a reply paid label for Australia Post or arrange for a collection by courier. This will depend on your location and the product you purchased. If you have any trouble you can contact us.
Customer Reviews
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Terry MartinVerified Buyer
Not impressed
I don't expect you want this as a review. After deciding to purchase the NTL1 and on receiving the guitar, I was very disappointed as it had a noticeable fault on the neck pocket and the string alignment was way off. Artist Guitars offered to send a replacement but I'd lost confidence in their QC by then.
Store OwnerHi, Terry! Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are genuinely sorry to hear that your NTL1 arrived with a finish issue and misaligned strings. We hold our quality control to high standards, and it's disappointing to know we missed the mark on this one. While we always welcome the chance to send a replacement after a thorough hands-on inspection, we completely respect your decision to opt for a full refund instead. We’ve used your feedback to alert our QC team so we can prevent similar issues from happening in the future. Thank you for giving us a try, and we wish you the best in finding the right instrument for you!7 September 2026 -
SteveVerified Buyer
Great guitar
I've wanted a new nylon string for a while but traditional styles did not appeal to me. I had not considered electric and slimline price points are not generally agreeable so when I saw this little number a week out from my birthday, well, here we are. I've been playing plugged and unplugged for a few days now. Played really nice from right out of the box. Strings are still settling as expected but it holding tune pretty nice. No fret buzz anywhere. Definitely has the dead tone of a solid body when unplugged but with an amp on low it rings nicely. Sustain falls away on the nylon strings compared to the wound strings. Handles my 7-string rig pretty well. The nature of the pickups means its gets a little muddy under heavy distortion at speed, but I know it's not designed for that. Sounds excellent just holding distorted power chords. Looks absolutely stunning.
Store OwnerThank you so much for your kind feedback. We’re happy to know you’re satisfied and look forward to serving you again.20 August 2026 -
ian shadwellVerified Buyer
Great value
For the money this is a well made and very playable guitar and I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending it at this price point. It exceeded my expectations. With that said I'll draw attention to a few issues - some are personal and some relate to the quality of the guitar. I bought this guitar to practice flamenco (my neighbours don't appreciate high volume rasgueado). But the neck width is much narrower than a classical. So there's some adjustment in terms of technique. I knew it would be narrower, but it's more than I was expecting. That said, players coming from the electric side of the fence might appreciate that. The amplified sound is pretty much that dead piezo sound that is characteristic of this kind of pickup. I've heard worse. It's usable and can be improved with some processing. The one quality control issue that is a little disappointing is the intonation on the treble strings - above seventh fret and it's pretty iffy. I'm only using this for practice so not an issue for me, but it would need a proper set up if you were performing or recording.
Store OwnerThanks for your review! Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.20 June 2026 -
GregroyVerified Buyer
Comfortable to play with a lovely tone.
I bought this guitar for a few reasons: - I like acoustic guitars both steel and nylon strings but was looking for a comfortable guitar to play amplified on stage. - Acoustic guitars are wide and my shoulder was stressing and steel stings were getting harder to play especially after wrist surgery. I like a silky soft satin feel to the neck so I finely sanded the back of the neck. Set up was easy, just tuned the strings. Neck is straight. The bridge height is perhaps a bit higher than expected for a steel string electric but I have felt no need to adjust, being used to nylon stringed guitars. I would move the volume pot further back behind the bridge as the way I strum I occasionally turn the volume down unintentionally. A really pretty guitar and excellent value.
Store OwnerThanks for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. Your feedback helps us continue to improve.11 March 2026 -
Michael BradyVerified Buyer
old aged trier
I have only just opened the box which arrived two weeks ago, only to find it being a right-hand guitar, I made the mistake of not stating that I really wanted a left-handed guitar, so now I am stuck.
Store OwnerThanks for your review! We are always here if you have any questions.9 March 2026
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Brian FraserVerified Buyer
NTL1 Nylon Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Very quick delivery, fantastic guitar, enjoying it very much..
Store OwnerThanks for your review! We are glad that you are enjoying the guitar!7 March 2026 -
WayneVerified Buyer
Good value
This is a great guitar for the price. A comfortable neck, but the action a bit high out of the box. Adjusted down with the truss rod to be more comfortable. The pick up is great especially on the wound strings with excellent sustain, played through a Spark 40 which on the acoustic setting has a little compression built-in. The first, second and third nylon strings are taking a bit of time to stabilise with the tuning, so a little slippage causing the strings to go flat between playings. The volume knob was a little loose but easily fixed with the supplied small screwdriver. Overall, I'm happy with this purchase.
Store OwnerThank you for your 5-star review! We truly appreciate your support and are glad to hear you had a great experience.6 March 2026 -
MykeVerified Buyer
Bang for your buck
Artist are doing great builds atm .. how do you justify good quality instruments at unbelievable prices ? This is a great modal and made well for a electric solid body nylon guitar.. I can't falt it ! .. the preamp sounds clean and crystal clear .. a lovely tone .. it plays so smooth on the neck .. no fret buzz anywhere on the neck .. I'm a finger picker in style & require the articulation in the strings .. It's my go 2 ! Guitar for my live performances when I require a different timbre needed for songs.. Great guitar , highly recommend it ..
Store OwnerWe appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review. Thank you for the positive rating!5 March 2026 -
Nikolas ZalotockyjVerified Buyer
Useful guitar that could be improved
I bought this guitar mainly on the strength of Peter Northcote's enthusiastic review, and agree with him that it has a lot of potential. However, as a mainly classical guitarist, one problem became instantly obvious - the cable socket is sited in pretty much exactly the spot I would normally be resting the guitar on my right leg, to achieve the correct angle of neck for the left hand. This would mean resting the guitar on its cable input, which I tried for a little while (painfully) until the cable plug broke. So really the only solution is to attach a guitar belt and somehow arrange it so that the correct neck angle can be securely achieved, without having to anchor it on the leg. I haven't got the hang of this yet so it's pretty frustrating. My advice would be for Artist Guitars to relocate the cable input to a place where it won't interfere with typical classical posture.
Store OwnerHi Nikolas, thank you for your honest review. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. This is definitely covered under a 100-day customer satisfaction guarantee so we will organise a resolution for you right away. We can exchange this or refund this for you. We've sent you an email so we can rectify this for you ASAP. We are looking forward to hearing back from you soon.11 February 2026 -
NeilVerified Buyer
The quirk is worth the splurge.
Let's be honest - if you're buying this it's because you know what a nylon string acoustic does and what a solid body electric does, and you're wondering what a nylon string solid body would do. At least, that's why I bought it. First thing that struck me was how appealing this guitar looks. It has a lovely tele shape with a high end burst finish that is really sexy. It is a beautifully designed and well made instrument. Even the paradox of seeing the nylon strings and slightly less tele neck size on this guitar does something to the look that makes it a curiosity among standard looking peers on the stage. So yeah - it looks not only the part, but set apart. Then you play it, and... it's perfectly fine. Doesn't match my La Mancha nylon string on any level, but it never promised to either. Also, at it's price point, it shouldn't. It plays like an electric - zero body resonance and no bulk to the lower bout to rest anything on, so in that regard it's a straight forward tele feel. Plug it into an acoustic amp, make some tweaks from your usual acoustic tone settings, and it's a very capable nylon string sounding guitar. Volume knob and tone knob - no new ground broken here but simplicity is all it requires. Tuning is stable enough. Some might bother upgrading the tuners, and if it was the every day axe playing entire sets three times a week then that would probably make sense, but for the occasional outing for a couple of tunes here and there within a set, its current tuners are up to the task. The neck feels different. It has the feel of a nylon string, but it also has the 'deadness' of an electric (solid body). The most notable thing I would say re: the neck is the amount of vibration that is generated in the neck, especially around the mid range (3rd and 4th strings, frets 2 - 5). You get quite a bit of energy coming back through the fretboard which can be alarming at first but after a few sessions with it it becomes unnoticeable. So, for someone who got this because he wanted to know what a nylon string solid body would be like, I can say that I now know, and I am pretty happy with this as an addition to my toolbox. If you want something quirky that will get you some looks and perhaps even some green eyed envy from some other local musos, I can confirm this little beastie is worth the splurge.
Store OwnerWe appreciate you taking the time to leave such a positive review. Thank you for choosing us!2 February 2026 -
RobertVerified Buyer
NTL1 Nylon String Ac/Electric Geetar
Its been 3months since this guitar arrived at my door..Everytime I play it ,,,around once to twice a week (as I usually play electric guitars) .Its such a pleasant vibe playing this and i like it more n more each time I play it..Its really such a beautiful guitar to play..Thru an acoustic amp and thru a Zoom A1xfour the sounds to create are endless...The tuners have been very good ,the neck is super stable ,sometimes il go to tune it after a week and only one string is slightly out..Of course not every guitar you buy online is going to be perfect but Artist hit the button in the high percentage range..This is one of those you beauties..It feels like such a high quality guitar ,definitely recommend buying if Ur on the fence about one of these..
Store OwnerThank you for your review! We’re glad everything met your expectations and appreciate your support.20 January 2026 -
Gary ShepherdVerified Buyer
Amazing Guitar at Any Price Point
This is an amazing guitar at any price point, but given the ridiculously cheap price it's even more amazing. It plays like a dream, and the workmanship and materials used suggest an instrument worth a lot more that the price I paid. I was so impressed I bought two [one for my son], and I have persuaded a few friends to also buy this model. This is now my third Artist instrument and I will be buying others. I've also bought other paraphernalia from Artist - guitar leads, mic leads etc. Everything I have bought from this company has been brilliant!!!
Store OwnerThank you so much for your kind feedback. We’re happy to know you’re satisfied and look forward to serving you again.20 January 2026 -
Gary ShepherdVerified Buyer
Amazing Value for Money
My NTL-1 turned up yesterday, and I am stunned by the quality of build and the sound of this guitar. I’ve owned other solid-body nylon-strung guitars that cost six or seven times as much that haven’t sounded as good or played as well as this one. How does Artist do it for the price? I’ll be gigging often with the NTL-1. In fact, I’m going to do a review on YouTube over the next week on the guitar. There is nothing that I can find to criticise about the guitar.
Store OwnerThanks so much for your review! We are always here if you have any questions.3 January 2026 -
AnjanVerified Buyer
Great quality
I bought this nylon acoustic guitar and the guitar is so beautiful with quality and tone. Got some pick and capo as well and all of them were amazing. The guitar feels like a premium guitar but it come a with affordable price. I will be happy to purchase artist music products in future. Thanks !!
Store OwnerThanks for your review! We are always here if you have any questions.12 December 2025 -
David AdrewsVerified Buyer
Another Amazing Guitar from Artist
Great quality. Great tones
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.27 November 2025 -
BrettVerified Buyer
Cool Instrument
This is my 1st go at a Nylon guitar, after 20 years of Steel strings. Any player will know the difference, fair enough too. Guitar is gorgeous to look at, plays great out of the box, played through a 30 watt acoustic amp, still fiddling with tone, & sounds. I do like it, im sure I can enjoy this guitar for many years to come. Thanks
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.26 November 2025 -
Robert GowVerified Buyer
NTL1 Nylon String Electric Guitar
It sounds really nice thru the Blackstar fly 3 Acoustic amp with the Zoom Ax1four multi fx unit..Even just thru the amp its gotta a great piezo pickup in it..The action is nice and low but not low like one might like his Strat ,just a really good action..Ive never had a set up like this b4 in my life and its a great setup I look forward to playing thru ...An amazing price for such a high end feeling and sounding guitar..
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.20 November 2025 -
Rob GowVerified Buyer
NTL1
Another good guitar to add to the quiver...I havnt loved every guitar ive bought from Artist, I've sent a couple back and then with an exchange with the 100% help from staff i get a good one 2nd time round,,but I am a bit fussy and ive had weird stuff happen too..But this one 1st up is a beauty, like most of the guitars ive bought..I played this thru a Blackstar Fly 3 for acoustic guitars and the Zoom A1x four and it sounds brilliant,,auto wah and overdrive on nylon strings ,,amazing..With headphones....Thanks again to everyone there..Cheers..
Store OwnerThanks for your review! We are glad that you love your guitar!7 November 2025 -
Allan MaguireVerified Buyer
great value
nicest playing guitar i've had for a while . Clean balanced lows , great action
Store OwnerThank you for your review! We are always here if you have any questions.3 September 2025 -
Rhett BrewerVerified Buyer
Nylon plus electric
I've been playing this NTL1, electric guitar with nylon strings for the past couple of weeks and it has made me excited about playing guitar again. I love it's simplicity and it combines very nicely with my Boss Acoustic Singer Pro amp. The action is very user friendly and suits my finger picking style. I'm getting some lovely soft electronic sounds from the combination that have changed the way I play. Great price, great product.
Store OwnerThank you very much, Rhett! We're excited that the NTL1 has rekindled your passion for playing. That combination with the Boss Acoustic Singer Pro sounds like a perfect match for great tone. Enjoy those smooth and expressive sounds!22 August 2025 -
AllanVerified Buyer
A new creative outlet!
I currently own 4 Artist guitars. I actually purchased a different Artist guitar and returned/replaced it with the NTL1. I have never played a Nylon string guitar so this review is from the perspective of a steel string player. Firstly, the quality control was great! Nothing to report there. This guitar has a tone that I love and didn't know that I needed until now. Just a beautiful round tone and unique for me. I had to change my technique so the learning curve is steep, however I found the factory strings are not great for a newbie to Nylon. I switched them out for the Tim Henson set and I found those to be much easier to play. All in all, if you are new to Nylon and want to explore some new tones and fun techniques then I can definitely recommend this guitar. If you have years of experience with Nylon strings guitars then I will let someone else with more experience chime in.
Store OwnerThanks so much for your review! This really helps us improve the quality of our products and services.30 June 2025 -
George PillayVerified Buyer
NTL1 Amber Burst Nylon Acoustic-electric Guitar
I have bought a few products and most of them have been of a high standard and value for money. My choice for students and never had any complaints The NTL1`Guitar for its budget pricing can be rated amongst the higher end guitars without doubt. I am confident on the product and service so I will not hesitate recommending it to anyone
Store OwnerThanks so much! We truly appreciate your continued support!27 June 2025 -
steven payneVerified Buyer
NTL1 Amber Burst Nylon Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Awesome Guitar for the price . Definitely as good as some more expensive models worth 2 or 3 times the price. Plays great right out of the box, Neck feels great and it sounds good plugged in. I mostly bought this to practice classical at night at a quiet volume using a headphone amp and works perfect. Also great to use for recording or live for that nylon string texture , Sounds awesome with effects such as delay and reverb etc. Well done Artist Guitars
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your feedback and review. We look forward to your next purchase.25 June 2025 -
AntVerified Buyer
Fantastic guitar that far exceeded my expectations
For some time, I have been looking for a nylon string TL style guitar. I like the look of this one and really enjoyed the youtube review so I ordered one. It got delivered very quickly and out of the box it played really well. After a quick tune, I hooked it up to my Artist tube amp and this guitar just sounded so good. I have far more expensive guitars that don't play as well as this guitar. The build quality is superb, the tuners are stable (albeit a little tight), and the finish is beautiful. It even came with a 9V battery. I would highly recommend this guitar.
Store OwnerThank you for your wonderful review! We are excited to hear that the NTL1 exceeded your expectations, from the quick delivery to the beautiful tone through your tube amp. Enjoy every moment with it!22 June 2025 -
BrendanVerified Buyer
A little surprised on quality and sound
For an entry level price I was surprised how good this guitar is. I’ve played many more expensive guitars and found this to exceed or match. I wish they would make a thin-line steel acoustic .
Store OwnerWe appreciate the time you have taken to write a review. Thank you.9 June 2025 -
Raymond MartinVerified Buyer
Another Good One!
I've had more than 10 artist guitars and there's a reason I keep coming back. The NTL1 seems to be one of their really good ones. Comfortable neck, action a little high on the bridge side, but the nut is a good height right out the box. There's plenty of saddle height to shave down if I decide to later but I'm not gonna do that right now because it's not bothering me. The piezo sounds really nice and warm but it also has a lot of presence and those glissando buzzes come out very clearly. The tone knob doesn't make it sound muddy. Tuners seem to be pretty good, and whoever strung it did that clever trick where you loop the string around itself in the tuner so it doesn't slip. Now, let's compare it to my Katoh (Martinez) Hispania guitar which I love, and which cost me exactly twice as much... The katoh is hollow-body with fan bracing like a classical, whereas the Artist is a solid-body so it's not a perfect comparison. The katoh has some sharp fret ends whereas the Artist's frets are bound and generally just better (but not perfect). The katoh neck profile is very similar to the Artist although the katoh has lower action out of the box. The Artist is much quieter when playing acoustically because it's a solid body. This also means the Artist has more sustain like an electric guitar, and sounds overall less like a classical guitar. The Artist is heavier than the Katoh but it's not heavy for an electric. I like the fact that the Katoh has a headphone jack for practicing, but since it's acoustic you don't really need it. Perhaps on a future model Artist could incorporate a headphone jack in their solid-body nylon guitars because it's very quiet when played unplugged. Not a complaint so much as a suggestion. The katoh also has onboard reverb , which could be good on a future Artist model. Bedroom guitarists like to feel like we're playing in a concert hall! Overall, I love this guitar and I hope Artist makes more thin-line nylon guitars in the future because they're FANTASTIC!
Store OwnerThanks so much for your review! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.7 June 2025 -
BrianVerified Buyer
Great nylon string crossover
Great guitar: value, well built, very playable and good tones. Actually I saw Peter Northcote’s review and had to have it! I already owned a Cordoba Stage nylon string electric, but I was still curious. The Artist NTL1 is different enough that I had to keep both! The NTL1 arrived properly set up, it’s good looking and I’m looking forward to giving it a special place in my repertoire. Well done, Artist Guitars!
Store OwnerThank you so much for your review. We really appreciate it.14 May 2025 -
Elai SemisiVerified Buyer
NTL1
I have 2 x Takamine semi-acoustic classicals and the NTL1 is up there with them if not better. Slim body, not too heavy, unique sound and with a fret board that is easy to manoeuvre.
Store OwnerThank you for your review! We are always here if you have any questions.13 January 2025 -
terry.moyle2@optusnet.com.auVerified Buyer
Awesome Guitar…
Every way this guitar is played is a delight, none better…
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.10 January 2025 -
DaveVerified Buyer
Artist NT-L1 nylon string
So excited to get this guitar! Beautiful to play, to hold, look at! Fantastic tone, very, very nice guitar at a sensational price. Have bought quite a few Artist Guitars, always super value and quality! Artist Guitars just keep on getting better! Insane quality at this price point: a seriously lovely guitar!
Store OwnerThanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We look forward to your next purchase.23 December 2024 -
SarahVerified Buyer
Perfection!
This guitar is absolutely gorgeous to look at and the finish on mine is pretty much perfect. The neck is pretty chunky, not a slim C as advertised but also definitely not uncomfortable, and at least it's not a flat/wide classical neck that makes some chords difficult to play. The fretboard is so freaking smoooooth! Frets are nice and even and well finished on mine, which makes it super easy to love playing this guitar. The action is slightly too high for me, but it's well within the expected range for a nylon string- 3mm on the low E and 2.5mm on the high E to ensure there is no fret buzz. The neck is slightly asymmetrical so it helps with the action by sitting lower on the high E side. Tuning has taken a few days to settle in but that's expected with nylon strings- be sure to stretch yours first! Tuners are nice and smooth and the nut is cut well so the strings don't catch. As for electrics: it sounds amazing through my amp- the piezo system is clean and low (basically zero) noise. Due to the solid body there's no noticeable bumps or thuds when you touch or knock the body while playing. This may be a drawback if you want to build loops for percussion first. When not plugged in it's nice and quiet for people not in the immediate vicinity so practicing will not annoy anyone else. I'm honestly blown away, I nearly didn't buy one as there weren't enough reviews but I am super happy I did! I made one change so far: I swapped the plastic knobs to black metal barrel knobs (tele style) because it looks cooler. And I'll take the action down slightly so I can fret the high notes without them sounding choked. An absolutely stunning guitar and a huge win for Artist. I would get a second one if it came in a metallic white or pink finish (hint hint).
Store OwnerWe are glad to hear that you are happy with the item. Thank you so much for your review. We truly appreciate it.24 July 2024 -
Rohan HoltVerified Buyer
Great Guitar
Very good setup out of the box. Absolutely love this guitar- very interesting tone and playability. Can recommend this for an interesting experience.
Store OwnerThank you so much for your review. We really appreciate it.12 July 2024 -
Peter GaiasVerified Buyer
Clever concept with mellow sounds
I am very happy with the purchase of the Artist NTL1 Acoustic -Electric Guitar. Great concept. It is light with a comfortable action for finger picking tunes. Soft bass tones to my liking. I am enjoying playing this guitar as it feels and sounds amazing with good value for the purchase price.
Store OwnerThanks so much for your review! Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.12 July 2024 -
AlanVerified Buyer
Typical AG product (superb)
I own more than my share of “name brand” instruments — Fender, Schecter, Yamaha, etc. But I’m also a sucker for high-quality reasonably-priced gear, and that’s why (much to my wife’s shuddering :-), I’ve bought three AG guitars in the last six months — a 5-string AMSB5 bass, an ST62 electric guitar, and now this NTL1. (See elsewhere on this site for my reviews of the first two if you’re interested.) While I’m primarily a bassist these days, I do occasionally need to use an electric or an acoustic 6-string, and that’s where this NTL1 comes in, because I love the mellow sound that nylon strings can bring to certain songs (I play in a large church worship band.). Like the AMSB5 and the ST62, this guitar upholds the AG tradition of superb quality at a decent price. DELIVERY: Arrived quite quickly, and the couriers didn’t damage it! UNPACKING: Adequately enclosed in a decent cardboard box, and came with a lead, a couple of picks, Allen key, screwdriver, and a 9V battery. BUILD: As I said, typical of Artist Guitars’ high standard of quality — flawless finish, decent tuners, bone nut, etc. LOOKS: Entirely subjective, of course, but even my wife loves the look of this one! Quite a distinctive appearance that has already drawn favourable comment. DESIGN: The thin (44.5mm) Tele shape and Strat-type belly contour makes a very comfortable instrument for playing. There are just two controls — a Volume, and a Tone, and, to be honest, the difference between the Tone “0” and “10” settings is, shall we say, subtle. I much prefer to have a decent EQ outboard of the guitar anyway, as it gives me more control of frequencies. The neck is relatively deep/thick, so just be aware that your capo (if you use one) needs to have a fairly wide opening to be able to clamp around it (one of my Shubb capos barely makes it on the higher frets). SET-UP: Set-up on a fixed-bridge unit like this is critical, because there’s not a lot you can do (apart from bridge surgery) if your action or (especially) your intonation is lousy. Fortunately, the NTL1 didn’t disappoint — action was (for me) pretty much right, and the intonation was exactly spot-on (as measured with a good Peterson tuner). Another indication of the care AG takes in its manufacturing process! SOUND: As I noted, the Tone control doesn’t provide a lot of variation, but adding an outboard multi-band EQ really shapes the sound, ranging from sharper to mellow. (I use a 10-band Boss EQ-200, and play through a Fishman Loudbox 120-watt Acoustic amp.). In short, it’s what I expect from a good classical/nylon guitar. CRITICISMS: Aside from my minor comments re the Tone control, I’d just add that I was a little disappointed that AG don’t sell a hard case for the NTL1. Apparently that’s because the tuners (typical of classical guitars) project downwards from the headstock, which means they actually contact the bottom of the average case. I look forward to AG coming up with a suitable hard case in due course, but I’m just using a high-quality gig bag for the moment. OVERALL: Quality that belies its price. For build, design, and price, I give it 5 stars — a really beautiful instrument. (And no, I’m not a classical guitar purist, so this review is written from the standpoint of a common garden-variety picker who just appreciates good gear.)
Store OwnerWe appreciate the time you have taken to write a review. We are glad to hear that you are happy with the item. Thank you so much for your feedback.27 June 2024 -
Jon DavisVerified Buyer
Nice for the Price...
Out of the box it was in excellent cosmetic condition. There were a couple of QC issues though. The volume pot was not at all smooth and had a 'click' at each end of its rotation. (This is the 2nd Artist guitar that I have bought with a pot issue) The tuners seemed OK when I had a quick feel out of the box but for use on stage, they felt a bit cheap and gritty and I had to turn one of them several times just to get a quarter-tone rise in pitch. That may have just been a settling issue with the nylon strings... Then ... having never played it ... I walked on stage ... 'OH MY GOD' - I'm converted!!! What a delightful sound. Being a steel string player, my fingers were all over the place (so I played like crap) but that aside, the dry tone through the DI was phenomenal; I had no verb or FX. Then I threw a capo on it at the 5th fret (Here Comes the Sun) and it sounded like a harp... I wrapped up with 'Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain' and was blown away by the 'Willie-ness' of the tone. If only Django was still here... I don't see this as a 'plectrum strumming' guitar. Use a pick for nice arpeggios and runs or better still just use your fingers and immerse yourself in that tone! I really needed a nylon string guitar for my shows and this definitely fits the bill. If you want a super high-end guitar then add a zero to the price. For what you pay, this guitar is excellent value. I'll be posting a YouTube review shortly.
Store OwnerWe appreciate the time you have taken to write a review. Thank you.26 June 2024
