Chartwell Guitar

2016 Glenn Canin ziricote and spruce

Woods: Ziricote back and sides. Alpine bear claw spruce over cedar. Spanish cedar neck. French polish shellac throughout.

Specs: 650mm scale, 54mm nut, 43mm string spacing at nut, 58mm at saddle. 4mm string height bass string 12th fret.  Raised fingerboard, sound port, 12 hole tie block, Hiscox case. Five fan top bracing with additional transverse braces under double top area.

Condition: there is a 3 inch non displaced crack on the back which has been stabilized by an expert luthier. Otherwise the guitar presents as new.

Comment: this Canin has been well played in by its former owner, a performer. Glenn’s reputation is building very powerful guitars that he describes as “hot rods.” There is no disappointment on that score here. This guitar almost begs to be pushed and  I am a bit sorry to not have the skills to do it. The guitar is not bass heavy; the trebles are remarkable and the b string is the equal to the high e–very bright and resonant.

I noted a number of additional thin braces that run across the grain and obviously are needed to support what I assume is a very thin top. To get this kind of volume requires going to the edge with top thinness.

A handsome guitar that will make a good player sound great. It will bring out the best in any who play it.