Guitar Salon International - New Products

Hermann Hauser III "Segovia" SP/CSAR

Thu, 29 Jul 10 17:21:00 -0500

We believe Hermann Hauser III guitars to be more like a Hauser I than any other maker in the world. We have compared these guitars in blind tests with Hauser I and Hauser II instruments and found them remarkably similar. They have excellent clarity, sustain, separation and beauty of tone. Workmanship and materials are outstanding - this aged top features very beautiful bearclaw figure and the rosewood on the back and sides has very striking and dramatic patterns, making it a feast for the eye. The design is essentially the same since the Segovia guitar of Hauser I in 1937. Julian Bream once said these guitars have an "aristocratic" tone. We believe that is an apt description.

A hardshell case is included with this guitar.

Luthier Bio: Hermann Hauser

Otto Vowinkel "Duende" CD/IN

Tue, 27 Jul 10 18:22:00 -0500

A step above the 3a model in terms of quality of materials and attention to detailing, this model "Duende" was designed by Otto Vowinkel of Amsterdam. It is easy to play with a full, bright sound. It is constructed using only solid materials, and is built in Spain with Vowinkel's oversight. The design is based on Vowinkel's standard concert model, which shows a preference for the southern Spanish style, most recognizably that of Granada, where the guitars have a lightweight, bouncy feel, with quick response and plenty of volume. An excellent choice for the intermediate to advanced student looking for a high-quality, well-built Spanish-made guitar.

Otto Vowinkel "3a" SP/IN

Tue, 27 Jul 10 18:15:00 -0500

This model is the entry-level guitar designed by Otto Vowinkel of Amsterdam. It is easy to play with a full, bright sound. It is constructed using only solid materials, and is built in Spain with Vowinkel's oversight. The design is based on Vowinkel's standard concert model, which shows a preference for the southern Spanish style, most recognizably that of Granada, where the guitars have a lightweight, bouncy feel, with quick response and plenty of volume. An excellent choice for the beginning to intermediate student looking for a high-quality, well-built Spanish-made guitar.

G.V. Rubio "Negra" SP/IN

Fri, 23 Jul 10 15:45:00 -0500

This is a beautiful instrument made by G.V. Rubio, here in California. Materials are very high quality and a pleasure to look at, including a perfectly quarter-sawn spruce top and gorgeous Indian rosewood back and sides. The shellac finish is applied with a level of attention to detail and perfection found in very few makers. The sound is extremely responsive and open, with plenty of volume and character. The trebles are very clear and easy to work with, and the basses are steady and full. Playability is a dream with very low flamenco action. The condition is excellent, with no damage, repairs or significant wear of any kind. Overall, a beautiful-sounding flamenco negra concert guitar for a great price.

Christopher Dean SP/CSAR

Thu, 22 Jul 10 11:51:00 -0500

This highly regarded British maker builds an instrument strongly rooted in the northern European style. Strong influences from the French school can be identified in this guitar, including use of the "Bouchet" brace, which passes under the bridge, acting as a sort of see-saw, which seems to improve dynamic range, tone color and sustain. Great attention has been paid to crafstmanship and aesthetic touches, and the instrument is fitted out with a fine set of Rodgers tuners. Top concert players of Dean guitars include Tillman Hopstock, Simon Dinnigan and Eleftheria Kotzia.

Humicase "Metro Pro" (Charcoal)

Tue, 20 Jul 10 20:03:36 -0500

Lightweight and durable, this modern yet classy handcrafted case features a convenient climatic protection system to protect your guitar with great style. The Humicase Metro Pro features a reinforced fiberglass shell, making it more scratch-resistant and even more durable than the standard Metro case.

Features and Benefits:

Two custom-designed compact humidification units specially adapted for installation in your own guitar case

Bottle of specially formulated HumiCase Activation Solution for use in the humidification units

Built-in hygrometer to monitor the humidity level within the case

-Protective reinforced fiberglass shell with metallic finish
-Velour-padded interior with accessory compartment
-Durable, locking latches reinforced with black-plates
-Adjustable shoulder strap
-Neck and body support

Article: Traveling With Your Guitar

Humicase "Metro" (Black)

Tue, 20 Jul 10 20:00:04 -0500

Lightweight and durable, this modern yet classy handcrafted case features a convenient climatic protection system to protect your investment with great style. Notable features include a soft velour padded interior with accessory compartment, well-padded neck and body support, sturdy hinges and latches (2 of the 6 latches are lockable), and adjustable shouder strap.

Specifications:

Overall Length: 40"
Body Length: 20"
Body Depth: 4 1/2"
Lower Bout: 15 1/2"
Upper Bout: 12"
Weight: 10 lbs.

Includes:

- Two custom-designed compact humidification units specially adapted for installation in your own guitar case.

- Bottle of specially formulated HumiCase Activation Solution for use in the humidification units.

Article: Traveling With Your Guitar

M. Contreras II "Double Top" CD/CSAR (ex. Pepe Romero)

Tue, 20 Jul 10 12:12:00 -0500

The Contreras Double-Top is perhaps his best-known and most sought-after design. Several players have performed on this model since the 1980's, including the Romeros. The name "double-top" is actually a slight misnomer: in Spanish "tapa" means "cover" and actually refers to an additional piece of wood that is "covering" the inside of the back. So in reality, the back (not the top) is doubled-up, with the rosewood exterior and tone-wood interior (this cedar top model has a piece of cedar lining the inside of the back). This is in line with the Madrid school of using double sets of wood - Ramirez line the sides of the 1a with cypress and Bernabe of course uses double Brazilian sides on some of his models.

This is a fantastic example from 2003, and was previously owned by Pepe Romero. Being very loud and lively, this guitar is great fun to play, and the sound is characteristic of the Madrid style. It is focused, rich and quite expressive. The action and setup are comfortable, and the quality of materials is first-class.

Pepe Romero CD/MR

Tue, 20 Jul 10 11:57:00 -0500

Made by the son of the great guitarist of the same name. It has huge volume and extremely quick response - although the tone is "classical", the response and playability is much like a southern Spanish flamenco guitar. The instrument is very lightly built, reminiscent of the legendary guitars that were built in the Miguel Rodriguez workshop in Cordoba, Spain. Playability is very easy with a smooth neck and large, rounded frets. The sound is thick and warm, yet very pure and separated, which is exceptional for a cedar top. Pepeâ��s private waiting list for new instruments is several years so we are delighted to have a guitar of his which is available now.

Jaime Hernandez "Torres" SP/IN

Mon, 19 Jul 10 17:03:00 -0500

Built in the workshop of GV Rubio, this guitar by luthier Jaime Hernandez features the same specs, dimensions found on the GV Rubio "Torres" model. The slightly more compact body size and big sound make this guitar incredibly fun and easy to play. Sound is very bold, with thick, weighty trebles and large, bouncy basses. It is extremely clear, with all notes well-separated, yet also retains a romantic warmth which makes it suitable for virtually any style of music. Craftsmanship is superb, materials are first-rate. A fantastic concert and recording guitar for the discriminating performer.