Best Rosewood Fretboard Acoustic Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Rosewood fretboard acoustic guitars. Since the ban of Brazillian Rosewood, this has become a rare and expensive wood. It's not usually used for guitar bodies because of this, and also because it's heavy. Instead, it's used mainly for fretboards. Sometimes it's also used for necks because it's an extremely hard wood (even harder than maple). Its tonality tends to favor warm tones.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String

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Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String
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Playability 78
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 71
Overall Score 86

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
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  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Gibson's 2021 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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  • 2 Prices - New from $3,499 >
  • From Gibson's 2021 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Epiphone Frontier USA Collection

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Epiphone Frontier USA Collection
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 3 Prices - New from $4,499 >
  • From Epiphone's 2021 Made in USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Figured Maple back
  • Solid Figured Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood; Belly Up bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Keystone tuners
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  • 3 Prices - New from $4,499 >
  • From Epiphone's 2021 Made in USA series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Figured Maple back
  • Solid Figured Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood; Belly Up bridge
  • Acoustic Rounded C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Keystone tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Frontier USA Collection
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Takamine EF341DX

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Takamine EF341DX
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Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 1 Prices - New from $2,399 >
  • From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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  • 1 Prices - New from $2,399 >
  • From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF341DX
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Fender Highway Series Dreadnought

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Fender Highway Series Dreadnought
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Playability 80
Sound 88
Build quality 82
Value for money 88
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 3 Prices - New from $999.99 >
  • From Fender's 2023 Highway series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Chambered Mahogany back
  • Chambered Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Acoustic Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 20 Narrow Tall frets
  • Fender ClassicGear tuners
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  • 3 Prices - New from $999.99 >
  • From Fender's 2023 Highway series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Chambered Mahogany back
  • Chambered Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Acoustic Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 20 Narrow Tall frets
  • Fender ClassicGear tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Highway Series Dreadnought
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Guild F-40E Antique Burst

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Guild F-40E Antique Burst
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83
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  • From Guild's 2014 Guild Usa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.625"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Element with Volume and Tone Control (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Guild Usa Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Guild Deluxe Vintage Open Gear with Cream Oval Buttons tuners
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  • From Guild's 2014 Guild Usa series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.625"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Element with Volume and Tone Control (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Guild Usa Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Guild Deluxe Vintage Open Gear with Cream Oval Buttons tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Guild F-40E Antique Burst
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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    6. Alvarez WY1TS

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    Alvarez WY1TS
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logo
    Playability 77
    Sound 84
    Build quality 87
    Value for money 73
    Overall Score 83
    FIND IT ON:
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    • 1 Prices - New from $2,199 >
    • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Gold tuners
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    • 1 Prices - New from $2,199 >
    • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25"'' scale
    • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
    • East Indian Rosewood back
    • East Indian Rosewood sides
    • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
    • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
    • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Gold tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Alvarez WY1TS
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Laminated Side Wood
    • Laminated Back Wood
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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    7. Gibson Custom 1960 Hummingbird Fixed Bridge

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    Gibson Custom 1960 Hummingbird Fixed Bridge
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 78
    Sound 85
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 68
    Overall Score 83
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $5,199 >
    • From Gibson Custom's 2017 Historic Collection series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Thermally Aged Sitka spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Traditional belly up bridge
    • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Keystone tuners
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    • 3 Prices - New from $5,199 >
    • From Gibson Custom's 2017 Historic Collection series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Thermally Aged Sitka spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Traditional belly up bridge
    • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Keystone tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Gibson Custom 1960 Hummingbird Fixed Bridge
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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    8. Martin 000-17

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    Martin 000-17
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 77
    Sound 86
    Build quality 85
    Value for money 78
    Overall Score 83

    What our users think

    • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
    • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
    • Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
    • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (4 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
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    • 3 Prices - New from $1,799 >
    • From Martin's 2016 16-17 series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Golden Age Relic Nickel tuners
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    • 3 Prices - New from $1,799 >
    • From Martin's 2016 16-17 series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.9"'' scale
    • 16" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Select Hardwood neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
    • Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic Modified Low Oval Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Golden Age Relic Nickel tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Martin 000-17
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Compensated Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    9. Gibson J-185 Original

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    Gibson J-185 Original
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 78
    Sound 88
    Build quality 92
    Value for money 71
    Overall Score 86

    What our users think

    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Gibson's 2019 Original Acoustic series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Flame Maple back
    • Solid Flame Maple sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
    • Traditional belly up bridge
    • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Keystone tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Gibson's 2019 Original Acoustic series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Flame Maple back
    • Solid Flame Maple sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
    • Traditional belly up bridge
    • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Keystone tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Gibson J-185 Original
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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    10. Gibson Hummingbird Original

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    Gibson Hummingbird Original
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 78
    Sound 88
    Build quality 92
    Value for money 71
    Overall Score 86

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (1 vote)
    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
    • Traditional belly up bridge
    • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Keystone tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $3,999 >
    • From Gibson's 2020 Original Acoustic series
    • Made in United States
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Sitka Spruce top
    • Solid Mahogany back
    • Solid Mahogany sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
    • Traditional belly up bridge
    • Acoustic Rounded Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gotoh Keystone tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Gibson Hummingbird Original
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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