We at TRM are excited to present another guitar by one of the very best up and coming archtop luthiers, Aaron Wald. This one is a custom build, just completed for That Rhythm Man Guitars to be able to present. We requested a classic 17-inch archtop made with highest quality spruce, maple, and ebony, as well as custom voicing of the top and x-bracing. Aaron delivered in every aspect of this build. The clear natural finish doesn't allow for any flaws in the workmanship, since there would be no way to hide them. Aaron's work is simply stunning here, from the carve of the jaw-dropping heavily silked top, to the highly flamed back with amazing grain pattern and the beautiful ebony binding. This fit and finish are simply of the highest level.
The target for the acoustic voice of the guitar was one that sounds mature, despite being a brand new guitar. Impeccable balance, touch sensitivity, and ample headroom were all considered necessities. Despite only having strings on it for just over a week at the time of the writing of this description, this guitar delivers on all counts. I have been able to compare this guitar to three D'Angelicos, a Manzer, a Zeidler, a Trenier, a Stromberg Master 400, and exception Gibson examples, and this guitar is easily on the level of these guitars. Wald guitars are only going to be taking longer and longer to get as Aaron's commissions grow and as word gets out about his amazing work the cost to get into one is only going to rise. I highly recommend anyone considering to get one now. I say this as someone who personally has one of his 17-inch archtops as my main acoustic archtop.
I can't forget to include the electronics of this fabulous instrument. One of the other goals was to try to bring as much of the acoutic nature of the guitar through while using a magnetic pickup. We started this quest by having Kent Armstrong custom wind a single coil floating pickup based on a vintage DeArmond pickup. This pickup has delivered better than we even hoped with one tester noting the remarkable similarity of acoustic and amplified tone, totally unprompted and without knowing that was a goal. The pickup is wired through under pickguard volume and tone controls and to an endpin jack.
This guitar also features Aaron's latest advances in design, featuring a traditional truss rod with tig welded anchors, as opposed to the typical brazed anchors which are far more prone to breakage. It also is his first guitar with his newly designed tailpiece which adds to the amazing balance and stability of this guitar.
Importantly, the fretwork and resultant playability are simply amazing. All notes ring out clearly and fully at all frets. The string spacing is wide enough to allow great access for fingerstyle players as well as those who prefer a pick.
Weight - 5.6 pounds
Nut width - 1.87 inches
1st fret depth - 0.89 inches
9th fret depth - 0.91 inches
Scale length - 25.4 inches
The guitar comes with the original Gator hardshell case, case candy, and a letter from the builder.
Ships free in the United States and for reasonable rates worldwide.