2019 Matthew Chaffin SP/ZR

For this beautiful instrument, Matt built selected a highly figured set of ziricote for the 4 piece back and sides, and it came out stunning. He's appointed it with some other lovely details like the maple head veneer, and rosette design featuring a Santos-inspired "wave" motif in the central mosaic. 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 achieve 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. In addition to being easy to play, it has all the power any concert player could need. Although used, this guitar is in excellent condition wit only minor wear in the finish. We're excited to be representing this fine maker here at GSI, and find this particular guitar to be a remarkably mature, tastefully restrained example of modern American luthiery.