2021 Kevin Aram "Carmen 640" SP/IN

This 2021 Kevin Aram “Carmen 640” is a spruce and Indian rosewood classical guitar with a shorter scale, in mint condition.

“Carmen”, Shorter Scale

The label simply names it “Carmen”; the 640 in its name refers to the shorter scale. Together with a very comfortable neck shape and an easy, light setup, that makes this guitar a breeze for both right and left hand.

Materials and Condition

Very dark, quartersawn Indian rosewood and a spruce top with plenty of cross-grain silk make it beautiful to look at, and it has great response and plenty of volume. The tuners are Rodgers. Overall a top example from this excellent maker, in “mint” condition.

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.