Chartwell Guitar

Bolivian rosewood and cedar steel string double top

Woods: Bolivian rosewood back and sides, cedar double top,  sycamore neck.

Specs: 650mm scale, 49mm nut width, 41mm string spacing at nut, 56mm at saddle. 3.5mm bass string height at 12th fret.  Hard shell case, floating arm rest, offset sound hole. Raised fingerboard.

Condition: new

Comment: after being pretty blown away by the power the offset sound hole Turkowiak classical guitars provide, I decided to commission a steel string “classical.” As a former steel string player who enjoyed alternate tunings and the unique sound of classical music on a steel string instrument, I had them combine the deep resonance and dynamism of the offset design with a setup nearly identical to the typical 650mm scale classical specs. Instead of a  52mm nut, we have 49mm and instead of a 43mm string spacing we have 41mm. The idea was to allow a primarily classical player to transition to a steel string without messing up the reaches/stretches so intuitive with the classical guitar.

After playing this guitar extensively, the strengths are in the trebles, so much more clear and singing than with a nylon string. While noting the extra effort needed to  barre on frets one through three, the rest of the fingerboard feels much like a classical.  Light gauge strings certainly help; I recall  how my Lowden used to challenge my nails; digging in with this guitar is as easy as with nylon.

While a fine classical can perform with a DADGAD or CGDGAD tuning, the steel string is right at home with lowered strings, so there is a broad array of guitar material available to the lover of Celtic or other alternative music. And finally, tuning up and down is simple, without the patience required to retune a classical.

A final plus with all Turkowiak guitars is the hand rubbed oil finish, which is virtually moisture resistant. In the coming summer months not having to worry about moisture whorls in the shellac finish is a great relief.