2025 Ariel Ameijenda "70th Anniversary - Lightning Strikes" CD/CSAR

This guitar is an elegantly built example of Ariel's finest work. Materials are stunning including a breathtaking set of CSA rosewood with a very dramatic story behind it. The wood comes from a tree that was struck by lightning during a powerful storm in South America about three years ago. The strike was so intense that the local government had to remove the damaged tree and cut it into slabs. Out of those, only a few pieces were suitable for guitar sets, and enough wood eventually found its way to Ariel through his wood dealer that this guitar (and possibly 1 or 2 more) will be born of this extraordinary material. Considering that a lightning bolt can carry anywhere between 1,000,000 and 100,000,000 volts, this tree definitely took quite a jolt. It is stunningly beautiful to the eye, and who knows what effect this has on the sound - if any? Our first impression after tuning it up is that it does have some notable power to it - Ariel's guitars always have plenty of volume but this one does have a boost. Additionally it has Ariel's signature sound which we describe as having lush, rich velvety overtones stacked beautifully behind the clear fundamental of every note. Ariel really figured out how to allow this cedar to sing beautifully. Ariel also tells us he spent extra attention working the trebles to make sure they had great presence and clarity since cedar by nature tends to be strong in the mid-range and lower frequencies.

And it's as stunning in appearance as in sound - Ariel has fitted it with his gorgeous and newest rosette and trimmed it out with extremely tasteful "rope" purflings in the headstock and inner and outer rings of the rosette - making this a very refined and tasteful instrument in appearance. All-in, this is a great concert instrument by any standard, from the most respected luthier currently working out of Uruguay. Congratulations to Ariel who is now in his 71st year carrying on his family tradition, and for building such fantastic guitars!

Photos of this guitar taken during construction