Sponsored By
 

Farida OT-65 X Wide VBS

 

An affordable vintage-style slope-shoulder dreadnought with a wide neck.

 
January 14, 2019
 

Farida instruments may not be as familiar to American guitarists as some more-established brands, but the Chinese company was founded more than 40 years ago and has received acclaim in Asian and European markets. Offering models designed in collaboration with a prominent American vintage instrument dealer, the company has had US distribution since 2016. The first models available to US customers were based on a vintage 00-size body (check out our demo of the OT-22 model), and now Farida has added several slope-shoulder dreadnought models to its US line. We recently had a chance to check out the OT-65 X Wide VBS in the Peghead Nation video studio.

With its sunburst finish and vintage-style slope-shoulder appointments, the Farida OT-65 X Wide VBS looks like many vintage slope shoulders, but its 1¾-inch nut (the reason for the “wide” designation in the model name) and long 25.5-inch scale give the guitar a different character than most. The guitar is built from solid woods all around, with a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The guitar’s fingerboard and bridge are made from pau ferro, and the bridge has some very cool striping. The guitar has a bone nut and saddle, and its tortoise-style pickguard and three-on-a-strip, open-gear tuners further enhance the vintage styling.

From the first strum, the Farida OT-65 X Wide VBS displayed the balanced, slightly dry, powerful sound that slope-shoulder dreadnoughts are known for. And while the guitar worked great for chordal work and playing with a pick, its wide neck makes it particularly suited for fingerstyle (players with large hands will also appreciate the dimensions). The narrow necks on most slope-shoulder dreadnoughts have been an obstacle for fingerstyle guitarists, but for those who’ve always like their sound, this guitar may well be a revelation. The longer scale also results in slightly more string tension, giving the guitar a little extra punch and giving the bass strings in drop tunings more definition.

The Farida OT-65 X Wide VBS may look like a typical vintage-style slope shoulder at first glance, but it has its own unique qualities that, combined with its affordable price and solid craftsmanship, make it worth checking out for anyone, especially fingerstylists.

SPECS: 14-fret slope-shoulder dreadnought. Solid Sitka spruce top. Solid mahogany back and sides. Nato mahogany neck. Pau ferro fingerboard and bridge. 25.5-inch scale. 1¾-inch nut width. Three-on-a-strip, open-gear “arrowhead” tuning machines. Made in China. $774. Faridausa.com

Related New Gear Posts

 

Farida OT-12 VBS

An affordable 14-fret 0-size flattop with a vintage vibe.

Read More

 

Farida OT-62 VBS

A vintage-style slope-shoulder dreadnought with great sound and a low price tag.

Read More

Farida OT-22 review and video demonstration  

Farida OT-22

Great-sounding affordable small-body guitar with vintage vibe.

Read More

Taylor 312ce LTD 50th Anniversary review and video demonstration  

Taylor 312ce LTD 50th Anniversary

A special edition of one of Taylor’s most popular grand concert guitars.

Read More

Yamaha FG9M review and video demonstration  

Yamaha FG9M

A high-end dreadnought with intercontinental origins.

Read More

Taylor Builder’s Edition 812ce LTD review and video demonstration  

Taylor Builder’s Edition 812ce LTD

Part of Taylor’s 50th Anniversary Collection, this redwood-topped grand concert is a special variation of a classic model.

Read More

Martin SC-18E review and video demonstration  

Martin SC-18E

The mahogany version of Martin’s modern masterpiece delivers easy playability and rich sound.

Read More

Martin SC-28E review and video demonstration  

Martin SC-28E

The new flagship of Martin’s cutting-edge SC line gracefully fuses tradition and innovation.

Read More

Taylor 614ce LTD 50th Anniversary Collection  

Taylor 614ce LTD 50th Anniversary Collection

A maple and spruce grand auditorium in a transparent white finish.

Read More

Yamaha FS9M review and video demonstration  

Yamaha FS9M

A brand-new concert size flattop with high-end appeal.

Read More

 
Sponsored By
 
 
 

Peghead Partners

 
Peghead Partners feature image
Crossroads 12 | Huss & Dalton
Larry Sogolow plays a great 12-fret blues guitar at Organic Sounds Select Guitars.
 
subscribe sample lessons
 
 
 
 
  Follow Us: facebook icon instagram icon twitter icon youtube icon newsletter icon  
 
spotify icon facebook icon instagram icon twitter icon youtube icon newsletter icon
  About Us       Shop         Support         Contact Us         Email Sign up         Advertise         Sitemap         FAQ         Privacy         Terms         Subscribe   Sign In  
 
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
Peghead Nation logo
 
© Copyright 2024 PegheadNation.com
 
 
spotify icon facebook icon instagram icon twitter icon youtube icon newsletter icon
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
Peghead Nation logo
 
© Copyright 2024 PegheadNation.com