2017 Mario Aracama SP/CSAR

This is our first instrument by this talented young maker and indeed is the very guitar that made it to the finals in the 2017 competition in Granada. For this special instrument, Mario chose an amazing set dark and stunning CSA rosewood perfectly quater sawn, having been cut about 60 years ago and which he acquired from an old Madrd-based 'guitarrero' friend. The spruce used for the soundboard is also perfectly quarter sawn with plenty of silk, and comes from the Swiss alps. It was selected by Mario over 10 years ago so is well-aged. It has 5 fan struts with a bar underneath the bridge saddle. Fingerboard is ebony, neck is cedar. Tuning machines are Gotoh luxury with Avalon gears. Every Aracama guitar has a different and unique aesthetic - Mario enjoys designing rosettes and purfling to complement the visual qualities of the timbers selected for top, back and sides, so that the entire guitar has a unified wholeness unto itself. This guitar is a pleasure to play. It has a friendly responsiveness to it - an immediate but not harsh attack, and a velvety, full quality of sound. It has a lovely palette of timbral colors with the slightest changes in right hand position. Playability is very comfortable for both hands. Overall a great guitar for the player seeking a charming, traditional instrument full of Spanish character.