A Roundup of Musicmaker's Most Incredible Instruments

It's no secret that we love guitars. 

Anyone who has ever set foot in out fabled Guitar Rooms is aware of how deeply that love runs. lt is with this in mind that we thought it only right to take a good look at some of the true heavyweights we have available at the moment. The kind of guitars that are both inspirational and aspirational. The delicate touch of the finest craftsmanship realised in the most incredible sonic experiences. The feel. The smell even. You know it when you see it, when you hold it. These are the guitars that whisper the truths we need to hear.

We realise that it is not always necessary to spend vast amounts on wondrous pieces of hand crafted art, we also know that a life lived by pure necessity is only scraping the surface. These are the instruments that will make you a better musician, a better artist, maybe a better person.

It is indeed the provenance of the fortunate to be able to afford a six-stringed soulmate of this calibre, but if it is within your power....

These are not just guitars.

This is the beauty and the truth.

Lowden S-21 WL/SS - Walnut / Sitka Spruce

In the venerable tradition of meticulous craftsmanship, the resplendent Lowden S-21 acoustic guitar is a true beauty, and a testament to the enduring artistry of handmade instruments in the heart of Ireland. Lowden are about as premium as it gets.

Exquisite in its construction, the body of this guitar is meticulously fashioned from high-grade walnut, a tonewood revered for its profound, warm resonance and harmonious sound profile. The guitar's soundboard is crafted from high grade sitka spruce, renowned for its exceptional projection and tonal clarity. The marriage of these tonewoods imparts a sublime warmth and equilibrium to the guitar's sound, responding with grace to an expansive array of playing styles.

The S-21 WL/SS has a modest, small-body shape that is wildly comfortable to play and feels buttery in the hands. Distinctive to Lowden's artistry, the soundbox bevel graces the guitar's body, enhancing player comfort by providing a gentle cradle for the arm. A thoughtful cutaway design further extends accessibility to the upper frets, inviting exploration of the guitar's full tonal range.

Crafted with precision and resilience, the guitar's neck is a harmonious union of five pieces of mahogany and rosewood. Shaped in the comfortable "C" profile, it ensures effortless playability, embracing musicians with comfort during prolonged sessions.

Furch Masters Choice Red Deluxe Gc-SR with LR Baggs Anthem

While Furch's artisanal excellence is undeniable, the Red Master's Choice is the pinnacle, representing the zenith of their all-solid-woods guitar lineage. Imbued with the essence of the extraordinary, it comes from the sanctum of master craftsmanship, where only the finest materials and cutting-edge production technologies find realisation.

This paragon of musical artistry is a Grand Auditorium shape with a cutaway. Its very soul is crafted from master grade tonewoods; the soundboard adorned with Sitka spruce, and the back and sides sculpted from the highly sought-after Indian rosewood. The sheer elegance of these tonewoods is elevated by an array of exclusive appointments, a symphony of exotic koa, ziricote, and abalone that adorns its glorious body.

Embodied within the Red Master's Choice is the culmination of innovation, featuring the revolutionary Furch CNR System® neck joint, resonant-enhancing Full-Pore High-Gloss Finish, and pioneering top and back voicing techniques. This opus of craftsmanship produces a celestial harmony of clear, open tones, meticulously balanced across the entire tonal spectrum.

As a vessel of sonic purity, the Red Master's Choice is graced with the LR Baggs Stagepro Anthem system—a divine trinity of a bridge pickup, an internal microphone, and a side-mounted preamp. This celestial instrument arrives cradled in the protective embrace of a heavy-duty Hiscox hardshell case, a worthy guardian for a masterpiece of unparalleled allure and acoustic magnificence.

Taylor 414ce-R Grand Auditorium Cutaway - Tobacco Sunburst Top

Behold the Taylor 414ce-R, a resplendent embodiment of musical evolution, now adorned in a breathtaking new finish - the captivating Tobacco Sunburst Top. A nod to aficionados of the sunburst aesthetic, this beloved model is here with a renewed aesthetic charm. Not merely a cosmetic metamorphosis, the rosette and fretboard inlay design have undergone a similarly saucy change, bestowing upon it an enhanced allure that transcends the ordinary.

With a resounding Grand Auditorium body, the Taylor 414ce-R Tobacco Sunburst is a symphony of craftsmanship, meticulously shaped from the classic union of Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood. This melange begets a contemporary, well-balanced sound, where resonant bass meets vibrant trebles in harmonious convergence. Versatility is its virtuoso, effortlessly adapting to diverse playing styles with unwavering grace.

An auditory masterpiece, the Taylor 414ce-R is endowed with the ES2 pickup, ensuring the faithful amplification of its acoustic resonance, delivering an authentic live performance experience. As is customary with Taylor, this sonic gem is cradled within the protective embrace of a high-quality case, ready for the odyssey of musical exploration.

Lowden S-50 Walnut Sinker Redwood

What exactly is sinker redwood? Well if you subscribe to the idea that ‘old growth’ wood offers superior tone, this timber is about as old as it gets. During the latter half of the nineteenth century, redwood was in great demand and Californian lumberjacks would float logs down the river to the sawmills.

During summers, when the rivers were low, logs were dragged into the centre of the river and piled up to create dams. Once the rains came, the dams were dynamited and the logs would rush downstream on the swollen rivers – all except those that had been at the very bottom of the dam, and were literally stuck in the mud.

Eventually these left behind logs sank deeper and were covered over, sealed and preserved by river silt. They lay largely forgotten until 1995 when a man named Arky Ciancutti heard about the logs and set about salvaging them.

A true gem of guitar craftsmanship, the Lowden S50 is the epitome of excellence, showcasing Master-grade walnut for its back and sides harmoniously paired with a wildly rare Sinker Redwood top. In the lineage of body sizes, this guitar, with the exception of the Wee, is the most diminutive, yet it resonates with a grandeur that defies its size. Remarkably comfortable to cradle and play, the S50's stature belies the immense sonic presence it possesses.

The 50-series holds a distinctive aura, and each guitar within it is bestowed with an unparalleled "unique" identity. The sounds woven by this instrument embody the quintessence of Lowden craftsmanship and then ventures beyond expectation. The visual allure is nothing short of breathtaking, an aesthetic dance in which the AAAA master-grade quality of the woods, handpicked by George Lowden himself, an exclusive privilege reserved solely for the 50 series.

The S50 is not merely a guitar; it's an immersive journey into tonal realms curated by a master luthier. The marriage of its remarkable appearance and the unparalleled tonal experience is bound to evoke a visceral response, sending shivers down your spine. In the hands of the discerning musician, this guitar transcends the ordinary, delivering a sonic narrative that is as unique as the instrument itself, a testament to the meticulous artistry of George Lowden.

Furch Red Deluxe Gc-SR Grand Auditorium Cutaway

The Red Deluxe SR is a beautiful jewel in Furch's collection, representing the subtle heights of craftsmanship. This exquisite instrument boasts a master-grade Sitka spruce soundboard and Indian rosewood for the back and sides. Melding these premium materials with their cutting-edge production technologies, it emanates a resplendent and versatile sound, resonating with clear and open tones that captivate the discerning ear.

Adding to its allure, both the top and back plate feature the ergonomic Bevel Duo in koa, ensuring optimal comfort during prolonged playing sessions. The inherent beauty of these tonewoods is accentuated by a lustrous high-gloss finish, complemented by meticulous details such as binding, a premium rosette in koa, abalone purfling, and an exquisite pearl Roman numerals inlay gracing the fingerboard.

This masterpiece is not merely an instrument; it's an invitation to explore art. Encased in a robust Hiscox case, it's a testament to uncompromising quality and attention to detail, inviting musicians to embark on a sonic journey where each note is nod to the artistry behind the creation of the Red Deluxe SR.

Taylor 724ce KOA GA Cutaway Acoustic Guitar

The Taylor 724ce Koa Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric guitar is a testament to the exquisite beauty and sonic resonance of wood, embracing a beloved body shape that harmonises seamlessly with diverse playing styles. Crafted from select-grade Hawaiian Koa, the instrument showcases a striking visual tapestry of rich colour variegation and a straight grain structure that is freakishly beautiful.

Elevating its sonic capabilities, Taylor incorporates their groundbreaking V-Class bracing system into the design. This innovation not only enhances volume and sustain but also imparts a purity and orderliness to each note. Tuning becomes a breeze, and the pitch gains robustness, delivering an optimized playing experience. The ultra-thin matte finish contributes to a lively, punchy response, creating a tactile sensation that is both warm and inviting.

The Grand Auditorium construction of the 724ce yields a versatile instrument, responding generously to light fingerpicking, while remaining articulate and balanced during medium strumming and flatpicking. For those seeking amplified performance, the Taylor Expression System 2 (ES2) electronics come into play. With a patented behind-the-saddle pickup and three strategically placed sensors, it ensures the clear transmission of every tonal nuance. The custom-designed preamp, complete with easy-to-use volume, active bass, and treble controls, operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment, delivering exceptional amplified tone and responsiveness.

The 724ce is adorned with thoughtful details, including mother-of-pearl fountain inlays, rosewood binding, a dark-stained maple pickguard, and Taylor polished bronze tuners. It finds its sanctuary in a Taylor deluxe hardshell case, offering protection and portability for this masterpiece of acoustic ingenuity.

These are the guitars.

A veritable whirlwind of beauty and craftsmanship.

Better yet, all of these guitars are currently available in our home, the Guitar Rooms in Musicmaker. Maybe you live in Dublin, maybe you need to travel but I would very much recommend you make the journey.

You need to hear these guitars for yourself.

For these are the guitars.

Until next time.