Chartwell Guitar

Teodoro Perez “Maestro” flamed maple and European spruce #1047

Woods: flamed maple back and sides with European maple top. Spanish cedar neck. French polish shellac throughout.

Specs:  650mm scale, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 57mm at saddle. 3.75mm bass string height at 12th fret. High end GIWA case with strap.  Five fan braces with treble traverse bar.  Six hole tie block. Custom rosette with matching purfling in the binding.  Solid interior lining  instead of kerfed, adding to volume and projection by stiffening the joint with the sides and back.

Condition:  except for a few stray nail marks, one minor scratch on the butt, and one button mark on the back, the guitar presents as new.

Comment: this is Teodoro’s Maestro model, beautifully crafted with intricate inlays and rosette.  The flamed maple is eye catching and it contributes to the lovely trebles the guitar offers. What I did not expect is how sweet and warm the voice is, as many maple guitars I’ve played have a brittle, nasal high end. Not so with this guitar–if played blind I would have expected Indian rosewood. The guitar is light and responsive with an ample bass side. It is the creamy intonation that won me over in my first play.  This Madrid builder has constructed over a thousand guitars, and every bit of Perez’s experience comes to the fore.