2021 Kevin Aram "Nancy" SP/SW

This 2021 Kevin Aram “Nancy” is a spruce and satinwood classical guitar – a rare wood for an Aram – in mint condition.

Satinwood with a Golden Sparkle

Materials on this example are gorgeous, with a stunning set of satinwood for the back and sides, which has three textures and a gold-like sparkle, and a spruce top with plenty of cross-grain silk. The tuners are Rodgers.

Sound and Playability

It has great response and plenty of volume. Playability is superb thanks to the very comfortable neck shape and relaxed, played-in feel of the top, and the easy, light setup makes it a breeze for both right and left hand. Alan Liu plays Dowland’s “Forlorn Hope Fancy” on it in one of the videos above. 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.