Chartwell Guitar

Aaron Ringo double top

Woods: Indian rosewood back and sides, figured red cedar over cedar balsa filled  double top. Spanish cedar neck. French polish throughout.

Specs: Crossrock hard case, sound port. 650mm scale, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 59mm at saddle.  Tournavoz. removable back plate, raised fingerboard, 12 hole tie block. Bass sixth string height  at 12th fret just under 4mm.  Plenty of saddle for future adjustment.

Condition: new. There are two minor nicks, one on the top and one on the back. Photos show Cling On guards and the printing on the one under the treble string looks like damage, but is just the Cling On.

Comment:  this is my third Aaron Ringo “Wood Ring” offering and it has the same lively and natural response the best double top guitars offer. It seems to have a deeper bass element, which is considerable, and I suspect it has something to do with the tournavoz Aaron has installed. Like the Thames tournavoz guitar formerly  here, it amplifies the output of the guitar somewhat; but, unlike the Thames, the creamy tone is not modified in an unnatural way. The tournavoz has been a feature in classical design dating back to Torres.

Another feature Aaron has experimented with is the removable rear plate, located in the butt. Magnets hold it solidly in place but is easy to remove. With the plate off, the player hears a modified sound,  in this case less bass heavy.

The neck is a bit slimmer than most classicals, which I find makes the left hand effort easier. Overall a very balanced guitar with a happy voice.