Chartwell Guitar

Steel string classical

Woods: Bolivian rosewood back and sides with red cedar top; hollow sycamore neck with sound ports; oil finish throughout, which resists moisture as compared to delicate shellac used by most luthiers.

Specs: 650mm scale, 49mm nut, 41mm string spacing at nut, 56mm at saddle.  3mm bass string height at 12th fret. 12 frets to the body as compared to standard 14 frets with acoustic steel stringed guitars. Asymmetrical neck profile, enhancing ergonomic comfort.  Custom hard shell case. Offset sound hole. Truss rod.

Condition: new

Comment: years ago I had the chance to play a Huss and Dalton steel string that had 12 frets to the body and a slightly wider nut/neck, which lingered in my mind after abandoning the steel string world. Since connecting with the amazingly innovative Turkowiak family, I commissioned this special guitar especially for hard core classical players, for whom a 650mm scale and 12 frets are the standard.  The nut width is just 3mm narrower than the average classical and string spacing 2mm less.  At 49mm, the nut is 4-6mm wider than your average Martin or Froggy.  Bottom line, I wanted a steel string that would feel and play just like a classical and this is it. Muscle memory for stretches and blind moves up and down the fingerboard require standard spacing. If you have never played Bach on a steel string you are in for a treat.  I’ve run through everything I know, including where a steel string rules over nylon–open tunings, such as DADGAD.  The area where this guitar beats any classical is in the trebles and the lighter tension strings Rafal has put on the guitar perform with the same nail attack as with nylon/carbon strings. Low string height is also important–3mm bass 12th.

The second aspect of this guitar, one any collector or multi instrument owner would want, is the offset sound hole, which has the trademark Turkowiak  deep belly bass response and a whole lot of volume.

I received this guitar the other day, along with a Turkowiak classical  and could not put it down.  Though its nylon brethren had its charms, I started to wonder why play nylon strings at all–the voice of this guitar is extremely pleasant and very crisp.  I read a review by another dealer with a Turkowiak steel string, who writes “This guitar is among the cleanest, purest and modern sounding steel strings I’ve ever played.” I heartily agree.