Matthew Chaffin is an American luthier based out of Michigan. His focus is on traditional guitar design, and he draws his greatest inspiration from the great historical Spanish makers – Antonio de Torres, Santos Hernandez, Domingo Esteso, et al. The goal is to create a lightweight, responsive and lyrical instrument with a subtle, understated aesthetic.
This particular 2014 guitar follows this traditional mentality, and is largely based on the guitar design of Domingo Esteso. Despite aesthetic details and decisions that are entirely unique to Chaffin – including the eye-catching bloodwood accents in the binding and the diamond pattern found in the rosette, tieblock and head veneer – the underlying Esteso influence is unmistakeable, and plainly evident in the plantilla and internal structure and fan bracing. The sound is at once firm and refined, clean and stable, at times reminiscent of a Hauser style instrument, yet also open and charming, with an eager willingness to be pushed hard. Despite its ability to reach great volume, balance between bass and treble remains excellent, with neither ever overpowering the other. Playability is also top-notch, with its smooth neck shape and easy action allowing for long playing sessions without exhausting the hands.
We're excited to be representing this maker here at GSI, and find this particular guitar to be a remarkably mature, tastefully restrained example of modern American luthiery. Although second-hand, it's in great condition with only very slight playing wear.
