Chartwell Guitar

Turkowiak rosewood and cedar double top studio model

Woods: Bolivian rosewood and western red cedar. Acrylic polyurethane matte finish. Ancient Kauri neck.

Specs: 650mm scale length, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 58mm at saddle. Bass string height 12th fret just under 4mm. Plenty of saddle available for future adjustment. Custom Turkowiak case, 12 hole tie block, raised fingerboard, asymmetrical neck (thinner on the treble side, allowing easier left hand  access.

Condition: new

Comment: the Turkowiak shop now builds only double top guitars and Rafal and sons (including a daughter-in-law) are continually testing new ideas to squeeze more power and sweetness out of their work. This studio model possesses the same DNA as his Queen of Guitars line in these qualities. I have yet to offer a guitar for under $5,000. that can touch what these instruments deliver.  Every time I play, I ignore all of my high priced guitars and reach for a Turkowiak–why?  Simply because they please me best. The voice is warm and agreeable and for an intermediate like me, very easy to play. Like driving a responsive sports car, you get more out of the driving than you expected.

For anyone who has found French polish shellac too vulnerable to nicks and moisture whorls, the urethane finish used on all Turkowiak guitars minimizes or eliminates these problems. Let me also say the Kauri neck has a natural feel, baby’s cheek smooth but not slippery or high gloss. One’s thumb finds a comfortable, stable posting up and down the neck.