If you've narrowed your search to a Pratley or a Fenech, congratulations - you've already made a great decision.
These are two of Australia's finest boutique acoustic guitar builders. Both produce handcrafted, all-solid timber instruments, both are proudly Australian-made, and both offer exceptional quality that stands alongside many of the world's biggest names.
Yet despite those similarities, they're very different guitars.
At Colemans Music we've spent a lot of time with both brands. We've watched customers compare them side by side, we've gigged them, we've recorded them and, perhaps most importantly, we've listened to what players keep coming back to tell us.
This isn't about deciding which builder is "better."
It's about helping you discover which one is likely to inspire you every time you pick it up.
Meet the Builders
One of the things I love most about both brands is that you're not buying from a giant corporation.
You're buying from passionate Australian builders who genuinely care about every guitar leaving their workshop.
Martin Pratley
Martin Pratley has built a reputation for designing guitars that embrace Australian timbers while thinking differently about how an acoustic guitar should feel.
His instruments are innovative without being radical.
They still look like beautiful handcrafted acoustics, but they introduce ideas that make perfect sense once you play one.
Aaron Fenech
Queensland builder Aaron Fenech has earned an outstanding reputation for producing beautifully crafted instruments that combine traditional acoustic design with meticulous attention to detail.
His guitars have become known for their powerful acoustic voice, exceptional workmanship and premium appointments, particularly throughout the Supreme and Masterbuilt ranges.
If you've ever wondered whether an Australian builder could compete with the world's premium acoustic brands, Aaron Fenech answers that question very quickly.
They Have Very Different Philosophies
Although they're both Australian-made, I don't think they're trying to build the same guitar.
Martin Pratley seems to design guitars around the needs of modern players.
Aaron Fenech seems to design guitars around the pursuit of incredible acoustic tone.
Neither philosophy is better.
They're simply different.
The Biggest Difference You'll Notice
The Neck
If I were blindfolded and someone handed me one of these guitars, I'd know almost immediately if I was holding a Pratley.
Why?
Because of the neck.
Pratley's neck profile feels remarkably familiar to electric guitar players. In fact, I've often described it as feeling surprisingly similar to holding a Stratocaster.
Combined with Martin's unique neck joint, which removes the bulky traditional heel, access to the upper frets is outstanding.
If you're an electric guitarist buying your first serious acoustic, you'll probably feel at home within seconds.
It's one of the cleverest design features I've seen on an Australian acoustic.
Fenech, on the other hand, stays much closer to traditional acoustic guitar construction.
The neck feels exactly how I'd expect a premium acoustic guitar to feel.
Comfortable.
Refined.
Traditional.
Pratley Tonewoods from Left to Right: Queensland Bunya, Queensland Maple, Tasmanian Blackwood, Queensland Blue Fig {Also known as Silver Quandong}
The Sound
This is where the personalities really separate.
I often describe these guitars as having different "voices."
Not better.
Different.
Pratley
Pratley guitars have what I'd call a modern Australian acoustic voice.
Players familiar with builders like Maton and Cole Clark will immediately recognise the character.
They're bright, articulate and incredibly responsive.
Every note has excellent separation.
They project beautifully.
Most importantly, they cut through a live mix exceptionally well.
For singer-songwriters, worship players and musicians performing with a full band, this style of voicing works brilliantly.
Fenech
Fenech heads in another direction.
If Pratley reminds me of the modern Australian sound, Fenech reminds me of the rich American acoustic tradition.
Think Martin.
Think Gibson.
A fuller bottom end.
A richer overall voice.
More bloom.
More warmth.
The first thing that surprises most people isn't actually the tone.
It's the volume.
Aaron's VT models have earned their name for good reason.
Despite their balanced response, they're remarkably powerful guitars acoustically.
The room simply fills with sound.
Fenech Tonewoods from left to right - Sinker Redwood, Camphor Laurel, East Indian Rosewood, Sitka Spruce.
Australian Timbers vs Traditional Tonewoods
Another fascinating difference lies in the timber choices.
Pratley embraces Australian species.
Blackwood.
Queensland Maple.
Bunya.
These combinations help create the bright, immediate sound that many players now associate with Australian-made acoustics.
Fenech certainly isn't afraid to use Australian timber either.
His Blackwood models are beautiful.
But Aaron also works extensively with traditional combinations like Spruce, Mahogany and Rosewood, allowing players chasing a classic American-inspired voice to feel instantly at home.
One of my personal favourites is Camphor Laurel.
Not only is it visually stunning, but it produces a wonderfully rich voice and, if you've ever opened the case of a Camphor Laurel guitar, you'll know it has one of the most distinctive and pleasant aromas you'll ever experience.
It's one of those little details players fall in love with.
Left to Right: The Pratley LR Baggs Element Stage Pro Pickup and the Fenech LR Baggs Element Bronze
Plugged In
This is another area where the two builders reveal their priorities.
Pratley's higher-end instruments feature the LR Baggs StagePro Element system.
For working musicians, it's outstanding.
Onboard EQ.
Tuner.
Excellent stage control.
It's a complete live performance package.
Fenech takes a different approach.
Most models feature the LR Baggs Element pickup.
Simple.
Reliable.
Natural sounding.
The emphasis is less on onboard controls and more on faithfully reproducing the acoustic voice of the instrument.
Neither approach is wrong.
It simply depends whether your priority is stage flexibility or preserving the natural acoustic sound.
Craftsmanship
Both builders produce beautifully made guitars.
But they impress me in different ways.
Pratley's innovation continually surprises me.
Fenech's attention to detail continually amazes me.
The binding.
The inlay work.
The consistency.
Particularly on the Supreme Series, the execution is extraordinary.
Some of the cleanest work I've seen on any production acoustic guitar.
Value
This is where the comparison becomes really interesting.
Pratley's range generally sits between around $2,000 and $5,000.
I honestly think the Entertainer and Classic Series represent some of the best value Australian-made acoustic guitars available today.
They're professional instruments that remain accessible to serious musicians who want boutique craftsmanship without venturing into ultra-premium pricing.
Martin's Custom Shop instruments are another step again and showcase just how capable he is as a builder.
Fenech operates slightly differently.
His range begins higher and extends into genuine Masterbuilt territory, with instruments reaching well beyond $10,000.
To me, those guitars aren't simply competing with Australian builders.
They're competing with the very best production acoustics in the world.
If You Asked Me...
People ask me this all the time.
"Tim... which one would you buy?"
I've owned and loved Gibson acoustics for years.
In fact, I still own an SJ-200.
It's one of my favourite acoustic guitars ever made.
But if I'm completely honest, the current Fenech Supreme Grand Auditorium in Denim Black has impressed me more than every recent production SJ-200 Standard I've played.
That's a big statement.
It's also one I genuinely stand behind.
At around $5,000, I think it represents remarkable value when compared with production guitars selling for $8,000 to $10,000.
The combination of a Spruce top and Camphor Laurel back and sides produces one of the richest, most inspiring acoustic tones I've ever experienced.
It's simply an exceptional guitar.
That doesn't mean I'd recommend it to everyone.
If an electric guitarist walked into the shop looking for their first premium acoustic, I'd probably hand them a Pratley first.
The neck immediately feels familiar.
The upper fret access is superb.
The brighter, articulate voice works brilliantly in live situations.
It really depends on the player sitting in front of me.
Which One Is Right For You?
Choose Pratley if:
- You love the clear, articulate sound associated with many modern Australian acoustics.
- You're moving from electric guitar and want a familiar neck feel.
- Live performance is a priority.
- You value Australian timbers and innovative design.
- You're looking for a boutique Australian instrument in the $2,000–$5,000 range.
Choose Fenech if:
- You love the rich, full voice of classic American acoustics.
- You're considering guitars from brands like Taylor, Martin or Gibson.
- Acoustic tone is your absolute priority.
- You appreciate premium appointments and meticulous craftsmanship.
- You're looking for an Australian-made guitar that comfortably belongs in conversations with the world's finest production acoustics.
Final Thoughts
The reason we stock both brands is simple.
I don't believe they're chasing exactly the same player.
Martin Pratley has created a range of guitars that combine boutique Australian craftsmanship with innovation, outstanding playability and exceptional value.
Aaron Fenech builds instruments that, in my opinion, deserve to stand alongside some of the finest acoustic guitars being produced anywhere in the world.
The best advice I can give is the same advice I give customers every week.
Play them both.
Specifications will tell you a lot.
Videos will tell you a little.
But the guitar that makes you forget you're comparing specifications and simply keeps you playing is almost always the right one.
