Chartwell Guitar

2008 Kim Lissarrague

Woods: South American rosewood back and sides with cedar top. Back and sides appear to be laminated with Jarrah.  Mahogany neck.  Nitro lacquer throughout.

Specs: 650mm scale, 52mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 57mm at saddle. 4mm  string height bass string at 12th fret. Six hole tie block. Hiscox case.

Condition: very good. Kim recently repaired two small but serious dents in the top and now the marks are hardly noticeable. The nitro finish is in excellent shape. Top has a matte appearance and back and sides are high gloss.

Comment: this being my fourth Lissarrague in the shop, the last one recently sold, I see consistency in his design and the quality of his workmanship. In short, precise. Each of his guitars have the signature high energy trebles, which pop, with amazing sustain. As with his country mate, John Price, these guitars are powerful, loud if played with no finesse. I hear a corresponding bass side and plenty of color. It takes very little right hand effort to elicit a big sound.  If this guitar were a car, it would be a Ferrari. Exciting to play and rewarding for a player who might not otherwise fill a room or auditorium with sound. That would describe me, so the extra horsepower compensates for what I lack.