Chartwell Guitar

Darren Hippner double top

Woods: Indian rosewood and spruce double top, mahogany neck.

Specs: 650mm scale, 53mm nut, 44mm string spacing at nut, 57mm at saddle. Just under 4mm bass string height at 12th fret.  Hard shell case. Spalted rosette. Six hole tie block.

Condition: new

Comment: Darren HIppner has access to a very fine array of woods and this set of Indian rosewood with distinctive sap line in the back contrast very nicely with a pure European spruce top. The spalted rosette is perhaps the most attractive rosette treatment I have yet seen.  This guitar shows the progress Darren has made in his fit and finish–very nicely constructed.

The guitar plays easily and has the voice of a traditional guitar. The trebles are distinctive and possess a creamy, warm intonation. Overall, the guitar is not overly bold and avoids what some folks say they dislike about double tops. A very nice instrument at a modest price.