Chartwell Guitar

Indian rosewood and cedar double top

Woods: figured Indian rosewood and red cedar double top. Spanish cedar neck. French polish throughout

Specs: 650mm scale, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 56mm spacing at saddle.  Just under 4mm bass string height at 12th fret.  12 hole tie block, Gator hard shell case, intricate rosette and detailed purfling accents. Savarez 540j strings.

Condition: new

Comment: Ross Gutmeier has sat atop the growing  list of great American luthiers for a very long time, and for good reason. His guitars always have a growling, deep bass response but also possess bright trebles. This is just as true in his 2008 d.t., here in the shop, as with this new piece. I knew I was holding a powerful guitar when I tuned it up for the first time.  I’m extremely proud to represent this fine builder. The color and power his work offers is remarkable.

Note the retail price as being well below his usual retail. This is his working man’s model, with reasonably priced rosewood, tuners, standard fretboard. But at the same time, the rosette is one of the most original and beautiful I’ve yet seen.  A true concert quality guitar for a most affordable price, if compared to the luthiers who ask for five figures for comparable products.