Chartwell Guitar

2016 Ross Gutmeier

Woods: Indian rosewood and alpine spruce, mahogany neck.  French polish shellac throughout.  Fan braced solid top.

Miscellany: 650mm scale, 53mm nut, 45mm string spacing at nut, 57mm spacing at saddle. Sloane tuners. Humicase.

Condition: new

Comment: though Ross Gutmeier’s double top guitars are very much sought after, the supply will not likely grow in the coming years because he is convinced this Santos Hernandez design, based upon his studies of 1920’s and 30’s guitars by this legendary master builder, is his future, at least for now. His reason for leaving double tops behind is based on the stability and dynamic range this solid top yields, without a loss of power. He lauds the Santos’ “simplicity and efficiency of function.” To say nothing of the bonus of color range and beauty of tone.  Before receiving this slightly diminutive bodied guitar, I heard his claim it would match or beat modern top guitars in volume and projection.

Well, I am fully convinced, now that I have it. The sound sample here is with Oasis hard tension strings and this guitar rewards an attack that yields a big presence. It is a remarkably bright guitar, with punchy mids and basses.  A true concert guitar. I am always amazed when I hold a feather light guitar that has overwhelming power. And I also know that guitar will deliver clear, crisp string separation. There is sustain without a muddy voice, such as with some lattice guitars, or breathy, unfocussed output from many double tops.

The guitar is offered at an introductory price, one that will be expected to swell with coming guitars to the price point his double tops obtained. I have asked Ross to save on the do-dads that can swell a price without an improvement in sound. If you know Gutmeier guitars, you will certainly see the value in this instrument.