2020 Kris Barnett CD/AR

Kris Barnett grew up in the United States and his story is very unique. In 2004, he began building guitars as a hobby while working full-time as a mental health therapist in Atlanta, GA. Initially, he converted his own bedroom into a workshop and within two years started receiving enough commissions to work full-time as a classical guitar maker. Throughout the years he has continuously developed his craftsmanship following the simple philosophy that "the goal is to continue the history, not simply repeat it." Kris moved his workshop to Berlin, Germany in the summer of 2018 where he joined a small community of luthiers who call themselves the "Berlin Luthiers" - this group of colleagues and friends find their collective to be a fertile ground for mutual inspiration and the genuine exchange of experience and insights into their shared craft. To us, the most remarkable aspect of this group is the diversity of styles each of the makers exhibits. Kris' self-directed approach has allowed him to build unique guitars, such as the ones he creates today. He started building traditional Torres-style instruments, and later started working with lattice, double top and numerous other designs of his own making. Nowadays, his instruments borrow from both modern and traditional concepts of guitar construction. This instrument has a great amount of power, and yet is not boomy or bass-heavy. The dynamic range and color palette is astounding, especially considering that it is a cedar top. It's possible to produce sparkling, bright tone from a ponticello right hand position only to have creamy, luminous tone with the right hand over the soundhole. This instrument provides the player with an enormous range of sonic possibilities to play virtually any style of music. Additionally, it is impeccably built with a bold, unique style including various decorative elements on the headstock, rosette, and bridge made of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum), elegantly executed. Kris also did compensated nut and saddle for improved intonation, elevated fingerboard for easier playability and 20th fret for repertoire requiring a high c natural. Although a used instrument, it is in excellent condition with only modest signs of prior use. All-in, this is a fantastic instrument and we are thrilled to be working with this talented maker from the "Berlin Luthiers"!