Crafter's MIND, STG, and VL dreadnoughts differ in bass and note separation under hard strumming depending on top wood and cutaway, so choose by how hard you play.
The most confusing part of choosing a Crafter dreadnought is that the line name (MIND, STG, VL) seems to define the sound, when top and back/side woods and the cutaway matter more. Strum a chord with the same force and the amount of bass buildup, and how clearly each string separates, can still differ from model to model.
This guide revisits twelve models by strum intensity, from soft arpeggios to hard flatpicking. It explains the impressions that mahogany, spruce, and cedar tops and mahogany, rosewood, and ebony back/sides tend to give, and pairs models with identical wood so you can compare lines directly.
How to read this list
- If you strum hard and hate muddy bass, start with Nos. 1 and 4.
- For songs with big soft-to-loud swings, look at Nos. 2, 5, and 10.
- For light, quick response, look at Nos. 6 and 9.
Specs are as of September 2026 and may change.
Crafter MIND D-15e Pro
Crafter MIND D-16e Pro
Crafter MIND D-16e Fingy Pro VVS
Crafter STG D-15e Pro
Crafter STG D-16ce Pro
Crafter STG D-17ce Pro
Crafter STG D-20ce Pro
Crafter STG D-22ce Pro
Crafter STG D-18ce Pro
Crafter STG D-28ce Pro
Crafter VL D-28ce Pro VVS
Crafter VL D-20ce Pro
How to choose
If you strum hard and dislike blurry chords, the mahogany pairings at Nos. 1 and 4 are the place to start. For wide dynamic swings, try the spruce-top Nos. 2, 5, and 10; for light, fast response, the cedar-top Nos. 6 and 9.
Nos. 1 and 4, 7 and 12, and 10 and 11 share woods, so they separate line differences from unit variation. Information reflects the research date and may change, so check official channels before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Do dreadnoughts always produce a lot of bass?
The wide body favors bass, but how much and how controlled it sounds depends on the top and back/side woods. Mahogany tops are described as gathering bass closer to the midrange, while spruce is described as having a wider dynamic range.
Does having a cutaway change the strummed sound?
The cutaway itself does not change the sound much. The internal bracing layout can differ from non-cutaway models, though, so it is worth comparing bass under hard strumming against the D-15e Pro models.
What is the best way to test strumming character in a shop?
Play the same riff once softly and once hard, and listen for whether the bass turns muddy or the strings stay separated. Recording yourself and listening back also reveals differences you miss while playing.
Which woods suit hard-strummed accompaniment?
On this list, the mahogany-top MIND D-15e Pro and STG D-15e Pro are described as keeping bass near the midrange even when played hard. Taste varies a lot, so decide after playing them yourself.
Who is the wide-nut model for?
The MIND D-16e Fingy Pro VVS has a 44.5mm nut, the only wide one here. It gives fingers more room, but smaller hands may find barre chords tiring, so hold the shapes yourself first.
If two models share the same woods, do different lines sound different?
The MIND and STG D-15e Pro, and the STG and VL D-20ce Pro, share wood pairings. Any difference is more likely internal construction or unit variation than wood, so compare them back to back in the same place.
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