Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package Review: Is This the Best Value Starter Kit on the Market?

We have all been there: you are standing on the precipice of a new musical journey, or perhaps you are looking to get back into playing after a long hiatus. You want an instrument that feels professional, sounds resonant, and looks stunning, but your budget is telling a different story. The market is flooded with “toys” masquerading as instruments—guitars that won’t stay in tune, have painfully high action, or lack the electronic versatility needed for modern performance. Choosing the wrong starter guitar isn’t just a waste of money; it can actively discourage a new player from sticking with the craft. I’ve seen countless students give up simply because their gear was fighting against them. That is why we decided to take a deep dive into the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package. We wanted to see if a truly affordable “all-in-one” bundle could actually meet the demands of a serious beginner or an intermediate player looking for a reliable backup. To find out if this is the right fit for your hands, you can see its full feature set and user reviews before making your final decision.

What to Consider Before Buying an Acoustic-Electric Guitar

An Acoustic-Electric guitar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for musicians who need the organic warmth of an acoustic instrument paired with the stage-ready volume of an electric. Unlike a standard acoustic, which relies solely on its body cavity for projection, an acoustic-electric features an on-board pickup system. This allows you to plug into an amplifier or a PA system, making it an essential tool for coffee house gigs, church worship teams, or home recording. If you are someone who eventually wants to perform for others or experiment with effects pedals, this is the category you should be looking at.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of limited practice space or the need for amplified versatility, while it might not be suitable for those who are “purists” looking for a hand-crafted, solid-wood heirloom instrument costing thousands of dollars. Beginners, hobbyists, and even professional teachers often seek out these “thinline” models because they offer a more comfortable physical profile without sacrificing the essential “acoustic” feel. If you are transitioning from electric guitar, the thinline body of the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package will feel much more familiar than a massive jumbo dreadnought.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Consider the body depth. A “Thinline” design, like the one found here, is significantly narrower than a traditional acoustic. This makes it easier to wrap your arm around, which is a lifesaver for smaller players or those who find bulky guitars uncomfortable during long sessions.
• Capacity/Performance: Look at the electronics. A basic pickup is fine, but an on-board EQ (Equalizer) allows you to shape your tone. If the guitar has a 4-band EQ, you have much more control over the bass, mids, and treble when you’re plugged into an amp.
• Materials & Durability: While solid wood is the gold standard for tone, high-quality laminates like Basswood and Spruce are often more resilient to changes in temperature and humidity. For a beginner or a “travel” guitar, this durability is often more practical than delicate solid wood.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Check the “action”—the height of the strings from the fretboard. You also want a cutaway design. A cutaway is the “scoop” taken out of the body near the neck, which allows your hand to reach the higher frets for soloing or complex chords.

Understanding these factors will help you see why certain guitars are priced the way they are and what trade-offs you are making for portability and price. Before you commit, it’s always a good idea to check the latest price and availability for this specific package.

While the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package

When the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package first arrived at our studio, we were immediately struck by the vibrant Red finish. It is an ultra-glossy, “candy apple” style red that catches the light beautifully. For a guitar at this price point, the aesthetic appeal is surprisingly high. We unboxed the kit to find a complete ecosystem for a new player: a soft nylon gig bag, a strap, a set of extra phosphor bronze strings, a cleaning cloth, and several picks. It is essentially a “just add talent” bundle.

Picking it up for the first time, the weight is manageable—roughly 8.28 pounds—and the thinline body is immediately noticeable. It feels sleek and less “boxy” than a standard dreadnought. We found the construction to be solid, featuring an A-grade Spruce wood top with X-bracing, which is a hallmark of quality construction designed to provide both strength and resonance. While some budget guitars feel like they might snap under string tension, the Ashthorpe feels sturdy and well-engineered. For anyone curious about the craftsmanship, you can view high-resolution images of the tonewoods here.

A Deep Dive into the Performance of the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package

Ergonomics and the Thinline Design Advantage

We found that the most defining characteristic of the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package is its physical profile. Traditional acoustic guitars are often 4 to 5 inches deep, which can feel like you’re hugging a small refrigerator. The Ashthorpe “Thinline” design reduces this depth significantly. In our testing, this made a world of difference for seated playing. You don’t have to hunch your shoulder over the body, which reduces fatigue during long practice sessions. This design choice is a feature that really sets it apart from other budget bundles that stick to the standard, bulky dreadnought shape.

The cutaway is another ergonomic win. Usually, on an acoustic guitar, once you get past the 12th fret, the body gets in the way of your hand. With this cutaway, we were able to access the 15th and 17th frets with ease. This is crucial for players who want to learn lead lines or play more modern fingerstyle arrangements. Based on our evaluation and user feedback, this guitar is specifically designed for comfort, making it a top contender for students or those with smaller frames who still want a “full-size” scale length of 25 inches.

Tonewoods and Acoustic Projection

Don’t let the thin body fool you—the sound is surprisingly robust. We attribute this to the choice of materials. The top is made of A-grade Spruce, which is the industry standard for acoustic tops because it is lightweight yet stiff, allowing it to vibrate freely and produce a “bright” and “punchy” tone. The back and sides are Basswood, which adds a layer of warmth and “roundness” to the sound. During our acoustic test, the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package produced a mellow, sweet resonance that punchy enough for strumming but delicate enough for fingerpicking.

However, as an expert reviewer, I must note that because it is a thinline model, it does not have the massive “boom” of a larger guitar. It won’t shake the walls of a large hall if played unplugged. But for practicing in a bedroom or playing in a small circle of friends, the volume is more than adequate. If you want that extra volume, that is where the “electric” part of the equation comes in. To see how these woods look in different lighting, explore the detailed material specifications here.

On-Board Electronics and Versatility

The standout technical feature of the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package is the 4-band pickup and EQ system. Most budget acoustic-electrics give you a simple volume and tone knob. Ashthorpe has gone a step further by providing sliders for Bass, Middle, Treble, and Presence. We found this incredibly useful when plugging into a small practice amp. We were able to dial back the “middy” honk that sometimes plagues cheap pickups and boost the “Presence” to give the guitar a shimmering, professional sheen.

We also confirmed through testing that the 1/4 inch jack is sturdy and doesn’t crackle when the cable is moved—a common point of failure in cheaper electronics. Whether you are recording into an interface or playing through a loud amp, the electronics provide a clean signal. One user mentioned that they preferred the sound of this guitar plugged in over models that cost four times as much, and we tend to agree that the EQ gives it a “punching above its weight” quality.

The “Out of the Box” Experience and Setup

As with almost any guitar ordered online, we found that a small amount of “TLC” goes a long way. Some users have reported that the frets can be a bit sharp on the edges. In our test unit, we noticed a slight roughness on the fret ends. This is a common byproduct of wood shrinking during shipping. A quick five-minute session with a fine nail file or fret rubber smoothed them right out. We also suggest checking the “action” (string height). While it was playable out of the box, we found that a slight adjustment to the truss rod (using the included wrench) made the playability even better.

The inclusion of extra strings is a thoughtful touch because factory strings are rarely the highest quality. We recommend swapping the pre-installed strings for the included phosphor bronze set almost immediately to unlock the guitar’s true tonal potential. For the price of a few fancy dinners, you are getting an instrument that, with a tiny bit of setup, performs like a mid-range workhorse. You can read more about the included accessories here to see exactly what you’ll be getting.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general sentiment among the community is one of pleasant surprise. Most users agree that for the price point, the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package offers “incredible bang for the buck.” One professional musician and teacher, who has been playing since 1966, noted that while they own high-end guitars, they found this model to be a fantastic value and perfectly suitable for students.

Positive Highlights:

• “The sound is amazing. For the price, it works. Sound is great acoustically, and even better when plugged in.”
• “I fell in love with its color and its details. But the best part is how it sounds.”
• “I’ve always played nylon string guitars but wanted that steel-string sound. This thinline resonance and soft wood give it a mellowness that I couldn’t find in $800 guitars.”

Critical Feedback:

• “Some of the frets were sharp. I used a nail file to dull them. The gig bag is also a bit tight.”
• “It needed some adjustment when it first arrived. I sanded the bridge saddle to lower the action, but after that, it plays nice.”

It is important to remember that at this price, manufacturers save money on the final “hand-finishing” steps. Most users who are happy with this guitar are those who understand that a budget instrument might need a quick setup to go from “good” to “great.” If you’re willing to do a little bit of manual adjustment, the rewards are significant. You can see more user photos and feedback here.

Comparing the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package to Top Alternatives

When shopping for an acoustic-electric, it is vital to know how your choice compares to other market leaders. Here is how the Ashthorpe stacks up against three popular alternatives.

1. Cordoba C5-CET Spalted Maple Cutaway Classical Guitar

The Cordoba C5-CET is a very different beast. While it also features a thinline body and a cutaway, it is a nylon-string classical guitar. This means the neck is wider and the strings are much softer on the fingers. We recommend this alternative for players who want a “mellow, Spanish” sound or those who find steel strings too painful. However, it lacks the “bright chime” and “pop” of the Ashthorpe. If you are looking to play folk, rock, or country, the Ashthorpe is the better choice; if you want bossa nova or classical, go with the Cordoba.

2. Fender CD-60SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle

The Fender CD-60SCE is often considered the gold standard for beginner guitars. It features a solid Spruce top, which will technically age better and sound richer over time than the Ashthorpe’s laminate top. It also comes from a massive brand with a hard case. However, it is a full-sized dreadnought, making it much bulkier and heavier than the Ashthorpe Thinline. It is also significantly more expensive. If you have the extra budget and don’t mind the larger body size, the Fender is a premium step up, but for pure value and comfort, the Ashthorpe holds its ground.

3. Fender CD-60SCE 12-String Acoustic Guitar

This is a specialized alternative. A 12-string guitar provides a lush, “chorus-like” sound that is iconic in 60s and 70s rock. While it is built on the same high-quality platform as the 6-string CD-60SCE, we only recommend this if you specifically want that 12-string sound. For a general beginner, a 12-string is much harder to tune and play. The Ashthorpe is a much more versatile “all-rounder” for someone starting their journey.

The Final Verdict: Is the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package Worth It?

After our extensive evaluation, we can confidently say that the Ashthorpe Full-Size Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar Package is one of the best “bang-for-your-buck” entries in the current market. It solves the primary problem of beginner guitars: the conflict between price and playability. By choosing a thinline design and a cutaway body, Ashthorpe has created an instrument that is physically accessible and electronically versatile. While it may require a small amount of setup—like filing a fret or adjusting the action—the core components (the tonewoods and the 4-band EQ) are of a quality that far exceeds the price tag.

We recommend this package to anyone starting their guitar journey, electric players looking for an easy-playing acoustic, or budget-conscious gigging musicians who need a reliable backup. It is a beautiful, resonant, and highly playable instrument that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a professional-looking setup. If you are ready to start playing, we highly recommend you grab your Ashthorpe Guitar Package today and start your musical journey.