2007 Kevin Aram "Isla-May" SP/CSAR

This 2007 Kevin Aram “Isla-May” is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar with a spruce top covered in bearclaw.

Rosewood and Bearclaw

Materials on this example are gorgeous, with very dramatic rosewood and a spruce top covered in bearclaw; the tuners are Rodgers, and the label names it “Isla-May”.

Condition

Apart from two thin cracks in the back, repaired by Yuris Zeltins, condition is excellent with only moderate playing wear – a beautifully made guitar with all the charm of his work.

In Orfeo Magazine

Kevin Aram is featured in Orfeo Magazine No. 11 – England (cover above, read it online), also available in print in the collected edition:

Orfeo Magazine 11–15 (print edition)

Kevin Aram: An English Master

Kevin Aram is considered to be one of the best makers in northern Europe and has made guitars for some of the most prominent players in the world, including Julian Bream. Working in North Devon, England, since 1991, he builds around twelve guitars a year and gives every one its own name – like Romanillos, usually a woman’s name – written by hand on the label beside his signature.

Torres, Hauser and Romanillos

His guitars are influenced by the work of Torres, Hauser and Romanillos, who helped him when he started building classical guitars. The sound is delicate and refined, although that is not to say that they don’t have great volume – but it is rather the quality of sound which is most noticeable. There is something very musical about these instruments which reveals itself in every note, and Aram’s guitars have warmth and charm and are beautifully made.