1997 Michael Gee SP/CSAR

Veteran maker Michael Gee has been making Spanish-style guitars professionally since 1977 after being the youngest student to be accepted at the prestigious London College of Furniture, studying under Herbert Schwarz. After setting up his own shop, he also collaborated with Martin Fleeson (famously played by John Williams), helping him with the construction on many of his instruments, and at the end of Fleeson's life, completing all unfinished instruments. Over the course of many decades his instruments would end up in the hands of such excellent players as David Russell, Štěpán Rak, Stanley Yates, Earl Klugh and Hubert Käppel to name only a few.

This guitar is structurally based on traditional Torres/Hauser designs while the aesthetics are Gee's own. His signature head shape is reminiscent of Hernandez y Aguado, and includes a small relief near the top. It also has a beautiful burl maple veneer with a dark geometrical inlay in the center. Playability is easy with a very comfortable neck shape and setup, and it has a 20th fret for players needing a high C natural. Condition is excellent with two invisible, well-repaired cracks on either side of the fingerboard - otherwise only minor wear in the finish including a ding at the 1st string. Sound is warm and loose like an older Spanish guitar with ample volume for any concert setting. Overall a lovely instrument to hear and play.