Introduction
Ron Emory is the guitarist and founding member of the punk rock band T.S.O.L (True Sounds of Liberty), formed in Long Beach, California in 1978. Known for his iconic mohawk hairstyle and high energy stage presence, Emory was a pioneer of the early Southern California punk scene.
After 40 years of performing with T.S.O.L, Emory teamed up with Fender in 2018 to create his own signature acoustic guitar – the Ron Emory "Loyalty" Slope Shoulder Dreadnought. This guitar encapsulates Emory’s punk rock spirit and vintage influences in an all-solid acoustic-electric dreadnought design.
The Loyalty signature model features a striking offset "slope-shoulder" body shape with crisp vintage-style aesthetics. With an all-solid spruce and ash tonewood construction, it delivers the articulate punch and warmth reminiscent of classic ’50s and ’60s dreadnoughts. The built-in Fishman electronics provide natural amplified tones suited for any stage.
Key Features & Specifications
The Ron Emory "Loyalty" signature model features a slope-shouldered dreadnought body shape, providing a balanced and powerful acoustic voice. It has a solid Engelmann spruce top, which contributes warmth, clarity and projection. The back and sides are made of ash, adding punchy midrange and bright treble tones.
The mahogany neck has a rounded "C" profile typical of 1960s Fender acoustics, making it very comfortable to play. It has 20 frets and a rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges.
For amplified performance, the Loyalty comes equipped with Fishman’s Isys III pickup system, which includes an undersaddle transducer, volume control and built-in tuner. There’s also a 3-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone.
Hardware includes vintage-style nickel tuning machines and a compensated saddle for accurate intonation across the fretboard. The guitar comes in two classic Fender finish options – 3-Color Sunburst and Butterscotch Blonde.
Playability
The Ron Emory Loyalty acoustic has a very comfortable and playable feel right out of the box. The mahogany neck has a smooth ’60s oval "C" profile that fits nicely in the hand. It’s not too beefy or too thin, providing a medium depth and width. The back of the neck has a satin finish that allows for fast, slick movement up and down the fretboard.
The action on this guitar is set very well from the factory. There’s enough space between the strings and frets to allow clear note definition without buzzing, yet the action is low enough to enable easy fretting and bending. The guitar arrives with a very respectable setup ready for gigging or recording.
The fretwork is impeccable, with smoothly finished medium jumbo frets that don’t have any sharp edges to irritate your hands during long practice or playing sessions. String bending is buttery smooth across all areas of the neck.
Overall, the Ron Emory Loyalty is an exceptionally comfortable guitar to play while seated or standing. The dreadnought body provides a stable balanced feel on your lap or strap. The sloped shoulders and contoured back allow your strumming arm to move freely without digging into the body. This is a guitar built for hours of fatigue-free playing.
Sound
The Loyalty produces a rich, balanced acoustic tone when unplugged. The solid spruce top provides warmth and sweetness in the midrange, while the ash back and sides add clarity and projection. Strummed chords have a pleasing roundness, while fingerstyle playing is rewarded with clear note separation and articulation.
When plugged in, the onboard Fishman Isys III preamp system accurately captures the Loyalty’s natural acoustic voice. The preamp has volume, bass, midrange, and treble controls to shape your amplified tone. It also has a built-in tuner and feedback-fighting phase switch for live performance. The EQ is quite flexible, allowing you to dial in anything from a bright, punchy attack to a smooth, warm jazz tone. The amplified sound is very balanced across the tonal spectrum and feedback resistant at higher volumes.
The Loyalty’s versatile sonic palette suits a wide range of musical genres. From punk to folk, rock to country, this guitar will excel both on stage and in the studio. The spruce and ash tonewood combination produces excellent clarity and dynamics to cut through a mix or complement other instruments.
Build Quality & Materials
Fender is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, and the Ron Emory Loyalty model proudly carries on this tradition. The guitar exudes careful attention in all aspects of its construction, from the expertly bookmatched solid spruce top, to the carefully selected premium tonewoods, and the smoothly finished neck.
The spruce used for the top is nicely grained and resonant. It’s strong yet responsive, allowing the Loyalty to really ring out with volume and sustain. The back and sides are made from ash, which contributes to the guitar’s balanced midrange focus and clear, projecting tone.
The hardware components are all robust and built to last. The die-cast chrome tuners hold tune reliably. The compensated bone saddle and Tusq nut help produce great intonation. The bridge pins are also made from bone for enhanced resonance.
The Fishman Isys III preamp system performs admirably, with flexible EQ controls to shape your amplified tone. The onboard tuner is handy, and the guitar also features a built-in feedback filter for controlling feedback at higher volumes. The preamp is seamlessly integrated into the guitar for a very natural amplified sound.
Overall, Fender’s excellent build quality and meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout this guitar. From the tonewoods to hardware to electronics, it gives you confidence that the Ron Emory Loyalty is crafted for the long haul.
Value for Money
The Fender Ron Emory Loyalty model has an MSRP of $1,299, though street prices are typically around $999. This positions it as a fairly premium acoustic-electric guitar, though not quite at the top tier.
At this price point, buyers should expect excellent materials and construction, which the Loyalty delivers with its solid wood top and back/sides, along with Fender’s renowned craftsmanship. The Loyalty’s unique design and Ron Emory signature model status also justify some of the higher pricing.
Compared to similar dreadnoughts from Fender’s lineup like the PM-3 ($699) or PM-4 ($899), the Loyalty commands a higher premium thanks to its solid wood construction versus laminate, as well as the signature model prestige. It sits well above entry-level dreadnoughts but below elite models from coveted brands like Martin and Taylor that can run over $2,000.
The Loyalty’s amplified performance via the Fishman electronics and overall playability make it competitive with other guitars in the $1,000 range. Buyers are paying for more than just the Ron Emory association here. The materials, sound quality, vintage vibe, and attention to detail support the pricing. While not cheap, the Loyalty delivers strong value across the board that matches its price tag. It hits the sweet spot for players who want excellent quality without crossing into exorbitant territory.
Customer Reviews & Feedback
The Fender Ron Emory "Loyalty" Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought has received mostly positive reviews from customers. Here’s a summary of the common feedback:
Positive Feedback
-
Great vintage vibe and aesthetics – Many reviewers love the vintage-inspired design, including the butterscotch finish. They say it looks fantastic.
-
Impressive acoustic tone – Multiple customers praise the acoustic tone, describing it as warm, full and well-balanced. The spruce/ash tonewood combination gets consistent compliments.
-
Easy to play – Several mention the comfortable neck profile and low action, saying it’s very playable right out of the box.
-
Good value – Some feel the Loyalty provides great specs and quality for the price point compared to similar guitars.
Consistent Complaints
-
Electronics could be better – A few customers find the Fishman preamp lacks controls and doesn’t capture the full acoustic tone when amplified.
-
Heavy weight – Some note the all-solid wood construction makes it on the heavy side for prolonged playing. Wish it was lighter.
Addressed Issues
-
High action – Some early reviews cited the action being too high from the factory. But Fender has since resolved this by improving the setup.
-
Fragile finish – There were some complaints about the finish being prone to chipping/wear. Fender now offers a polyurethane finish option that is more durable.
Overall, most customers agree this is a quality, great sounding acoustic perfect for punk, alternative and rock music. Any early complaints seem to have been addressed by Fender.
Who is this Guitar Suited For?
The Ron Emory Loyalty signature model is well-suited for players who gravitate towards punk, alternative, and hard rock styles. The slightly edgy slope-shoulder dreadnought shape, along with the punchy ash back and sides, make this an ideal guitar for aggressive strumming and energetic rhythms.
The Loyalty also works quite well for classic rock and blues players who want a guitar that can provide some grit and mid-range bite. The semi-hollow body prevents things from getting too boomy, while still offering solid projection thanks to the spruce top. Fingerstyle players will appreciate the comfortable neck profile and rolled fingerboard edges.
This is a very gig- and stage-worthy instrument, able to hold its own in a full band mix or solo performance. The Fishman electronics accurately reproduce the acoustic tone, while the onboard EQ provides tone shaping flexibility through the PA system.
Some cons to consider are the Loyalty may not offer enough bass response for those wanting a booming dreadnought sound. The semi-hollow ash back and sides tighten things up considerably. Also, the vintage-inspired aesthetic may not appeal to players wanting a more modern, polished look.
Overall, this signature model was designed with punk, alternative, and hard rock players in mind. It’s an excellent choice for those genres, providing great acoustic tone and reliability. But the Loyalty’s versatility also makes it suitable for many other musical styles as well.
Alternatives & Comparisons
The Fender Ron Emory Signature model has some stiff competition when it comes to other acoustic-electric guitars in this price range and category. Here’s how it stacks up against some alternatives:
Other Fender Acoustic-Electric Models
Fender offers several other dreadnought and slope-shoulder acoustics worth considering:
-
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat has a similar punk rock vibe with its distressed styling and Hellcat logo inlays. It has a solid mahogany top rather than spruce, which gives it a deeper and warmer voice. The Hellcat may be a better choice if you prefer more bass and low-end punch.
-
The Fender PM-3 Triple-0 is smaller in size but still boasts solid spruce and mahogany construction. It has a balanced and articulate voice perfect for fingerstyle playing. If you find the Ron Emory too large, the PM-3 provides an excellent compact alternative.
-
The Fender California Coast Series offers classic dreadnought and concert shapes with solid top options. The Redondo Player has a spruce top with mahogany back and sides similar to the Ron Emory. It provides great bang for the buck if you’re on a tight budget.
Acoustic-Electric Guitars from Other Brands
Here are some comparable models from Fender’s biggest competitors:
-
The Taylor 114ce is a goto acoustic-electric with Taylor’s signature bright and vibrant tone. It has layered walnut back and sides which give it clarity and note definition. Taylor’s quality and playability make it hard to beat in this price range.
-
The Martin DX1AE has Martin’s hallmark deep and resonant voice in an affordable package. Its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide richness and warmth. Ideal for fingerstyle and rhythm work.
-
The Epiphone Hummingbird PRO delivers Gibson-like tone at a fraction of the cost. With a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it has sweet and balanced acoustic tone perfect for strumming.
-
The Yamaha A3M ARE uses Yamaha’s proprietary ARE electronics to faithfully amplify the guitar’s natural acoustic sound. Yamaha’s meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship make this a hard to beat acoustic-electric.
The Ron Emory Loyalty holds its own against these industry leaders by blending vintage vibe with modern playability. For punk rock aesthetics and attitude, the Ron Emory stands out from the pack.
Conclusion
The Fender Ron Emory "Loyalty" Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar delivers impressive performance and vintage style in one package. With its solid spruce top and ash back and sides, this guitar produces rich, balanced acoustic tone that projects beautifully. The slim neck profile and smooth fretwork make it a joy to play, while the Fishman electronics provide versatile amplified tones.
Overall, the Loyalty stands out for its unique slope-shoulder dreadnought design, quality materials, and punk rock-inspired aesthetics. It’s an excellent choice for players who want a great-sounding, gig-worthy acoustic guitar with vintage vibe. From the craftsmanship to the sound to the stunning looks, this signature model is built to inspire.
If you’re looking for a top-notch acoustic-electric that looks as good as it sounds, the Fender Ron Emory Loyalty is easy to recommend. It will be best suited for alternative, punk, and rock players who appreciate high-end appointments but want to maintain a raw, vintage aesthetic.