| "Organic" is the first word that comes to mind.
Is it just me, or does this instrument look more like it grew from
a seed into a mature musical instrument ... rather than fabricated by human
hands? The warm golden brown hue of the Spanish cedar, the
deep figure in the Quilted Sapele accents, the random patterned Spalted
maple, burnished ebony and leaf-like hue of the custom marquetry
... all leave the visual impression that this instrument was more a product
of nature than the thoughtful creation of a seasoned craftsman.
Even the feel of this instrument seems more natural.
There is something about a hand applied French Polish shellac finish that
just feels, what is the word ... un-plastic-y? Your hand just
glides over this painstakingly applied finish with none of the slightly
goopy feel of thicker modern coatings. This instrument is simply
a joy to hold and is set up with an uncanny attention to the player's needs.
Sergei de Jonge has been building guitars
professionally for over thirty years and has developed a highly nuanced
ear for tone. It is a testament to this instrument that he was so
intrigued by its voice that he decided to keep it for demonstration purposes
for a few months! The excellent strength-to-weight ratio of the Spanish
cedar combined with the super rigidity of a carbon graphite reinforced
neck have combined to produce an overall tonality that is at once delicately
complex, surprisingly vigorous and yes ... organic! |
