2021 Ariel Ameijenda "Centenario" AL/BW

This guitar, called the "Centenario" model, was built to honor Ariel Ameijenda's father Manuel on his 100th birthday. It an elegantly built example of Ariel's finest work, and built with local materials which are stunning including a soundboard made of "Alerce" (Larch). Ariel has had this wood in his possession for decades and has been waiting for the prime moment to use it - indeed, it was bought by his father in 1954, who built several guitars with it and considered it an ideal wood for soundboards as it has very tight grains - in this particular top, Ariel has counted at least 360 years of growth, so it is also extremely well-aged. Back and sides are as exquisite as the top - a gorgeous set of Uruguayan Blackwood with a few small hints of lighter sapwood in the sides. The sound is quite unique - it has its own character entirely - although it has some of the warmth and deeper resonance found in cedar, and the extreme clarity and balance found in spruce, it is unlike anything we've heard before - it is very focused with a clear and very firm fundamental at the core of every note, yet each note is also surrounded by a warm, complementary layer of rich overtones, giving it a full-bodied sound without the loss of clarity. The guitar also has great projection and power for its slightly more compact build, and the playability is very easy on both hands. This is a real treat to have such a beautiful looking (the dark reddish hue and patterning in the grain) and sounding instrument from Uruguay's top builder, built for such a special occasion, in memory of his father.