Chartwell Guitar

2023 Manuel Adalid Sonatina

Woods: rich, figured Indian Rosewood back and sides. Engelmann spruce top. Nitro lacquer throughout. Mahogany neck.

Specs: 650 mm scale, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 58mm at saddle.  Quality TKL type wood hard case, 12 hole tie block, Gotoh 1800 tuners. 20 fret fingerboard.

Condition: new

Comment: Manuel Adalid, a Valencia, Spain luthier for some 50 years, is best known for his high end concert classicals. As with other builders such as Paulino Bernabe, their entry level guitars have a good deal of the magic possessed by the top end instruments. Items such as tuners, custom rosettes,, purfling and exotic timbers are areas that contribute to higher pricing, but the bracing and tuning of the top, the neck/heel setup, and the finish are the same at any price point. Simply put, the Sonatina is a lovely instrument that has the pleasing natural voice of all great traditional builds. This guitar is lightly braced with five fans and a  diagonal harmonic bar on the treble side. As such, it possesses volume and sweetness in color. The cedar version is identical but is warmer but a bit less focussed than this spruce. Two good choices.

For any guitarist who has worried over  a delicate shellac  finish, handling a lacquered guitar renders it less likely to develop nail marks and potential clouding from perspiration. Some break in is required with nitro lacquer but the finish will stay original for years after it has opened up.

I highly recommend this line of guitars and am honored to represent this great builder.