2019 Jake Fuller "Purnell" SP/CH

This is an excellent and very impressive guitar all around. As with all of Jake's guitars, workmanship is clean, simple and refined. The sound itself is textured, with ample overtones yet excellent clarity and balance - a wonderful synthesis of the Spanish and Northern European styles. The body of the guitar is very light in weight making it respond like an early 20th century Spanish guitar, but it has a slightly "weightier" neck and stiff neck joint which gives it noticeably increased sustain, balanced across all registers. Playability is a breeze with a very easy and comfortably shaped neck profile. Suitable for any size auditorium - also a wonderful recording instrument.

Jake shared with us a great story of how he acquired the wood used for the back and sides on this instrument: "The Cherry wood was given to me by Youri Soroka. He was influenced by my Cherry guitars and made his first with Cherry for the Granada competition a couple of years ago... and GSI subsequently sold the guitar. I think I mentioned on Instagram that I needed some more, and he got in touch offering me some. I said that was very kind of him but that he should keep it for himself. Youri said he had quite a bit and was happy for me to have a few sets in return for helping his decision to use cherry. I was touched by Youri's generosity. This is the second guitar I have made with Youri's Cherry. It's lovely wood. Since the wood arrived we have kept in touch, and regularly write to each other, sharing ideas, experiences and advice. It has been really nice to share thoughts with another maker, and to help each other if possible."

The back and sides are fitted with walnut bindings, which is also used for the head veneer and bridge. German spruce was used for the top. There is also a satinwood back stripe. Jake tells us that the back has been strutted with raised longitudinal struts, and he's employed a new fingerboard construction where the ebony is laminated with cedar, making it 40% lighter at the same height. Total guitar weight 1200g. Body resonance is around D#. Great guitar with a great story!