Certainly in the more recent history of steel string guitars,  there are no shortage of successful models that showcase both the sonic clarity and striking visual attributes of this indigenous tonewood.   In the hands of a talented builder,  maple can bring as much aural detail & crisp attack as mahogany and as much note fundamental and midrange thickness as rosewood ... this particular instrument being a perfect case in point!

    Much like European luthiers of the past,  Sergei de Jonge hand crafts his custom instruments in a rural workshop along with his family and apprentice Jeremy Clark,  with the maestro himself involved at every stage of the construction process.   This de Jonge Model SSS shows all of the attention to detail that has earned this gifted artisan a reputation as a world class guitar builder and features a stunning Bearclaw figured Sitka top,  intense Birdseye maple back & sides,  Brazilian rosewood wedge and body binding,  sculpted ebony bridge,  radiused ebony fingerboard,  bone nut & saddle and French Polish finish!