The note I received from Sergei de Jonge about this
instrument states that his current senior apprentice Michael Kennedy did
a lot of the work on this project. It also states that "his workmanship
is getting up there". This would seem to be a pretty casual half-hearted
endorsement unless, like me, you know that Sergei is a master
of understatement. When he says someone's craftsmanship is "getting up
there" it is time to really start paying attention!
Take a close and I MEAN a CLOSE look at the neck
joint on this guitar. It doesn't even look like a joint! It
looks like the rosewood sides change colour and the neck just started growing
out at right angles ... it is THAT tight!!! The rosette route,
purfling joints, peghead contours, fit & finish ... all
are super crisp and clean as a whistle! The French Polish finish
is expertly applied and ultra thin to protect but not inhibit vibration.
This is one WELL made guitar!!!
Sergei was one of the early pioneers of the double-top
concept. To this day he uses his own unique wood core (as opposed to the
man-made Nomex) as he feels this gives him more opportunity to shape the
tone and offers a better gluing surface for superior longevity. I
have to say that the general opinion amongst nylon string players at our
store is that this instrument has superb note definition and an exceptionally
strong & even voice all of the way up the fingerboard! This is
truely a Concert Grade classical guitar! |
