Chartwell Guitar

2023 Adalid lattice

Woods: Madagascar rosewood three piece back and sides, western red cedar top. Spanish cedar neck. Nitro lacquer finish.

Specs: 650mm scale, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 58mm at saddle. 4mm string height at 12th fret, bass string. Custom Adalid hard case. 12 hole tie block. Schaller tuners.

Condition: new

Comment: Were it not for a fortunate trade that landed my first Adalid guitar in my shop, I would not have discovered what a fine line of instruments this Spanish luthier has developed. This is his Invocacion, which features Madagascar rosewood instead of the Indian rosewood he uses for his Sonatina line. The primary step up here is the lattice bracing, which only enhances the natural color his fan braced models possess. It is noticeably more powerful and the sustain is substantial. I find the trebles to be excellent. The high e string is a winner.

Adalid guitars are meticulously crafted and the rosettes he uses are quite beautiful. They are easy to play and the nitro lacquer finish insures trouble free handling, The gloss finish they present as new will last decades and it takes rough handling to leave a mark in the finish. Best of all, for anyone worried about moisture whorls during summer months, the nitro is a complete barrier where French polish would not be.

I find Adalid guitars to be worthy of advanced players while they are priced so as to be accessible at any level.