by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., September 2017
Atkin Small Jumbo Deluxe Custom
Here we take a look at a very special one-off custom guitar from UK maker Alister Atkin. For more info on Alister see our article here.
This guitar is Atkin's Small Jumbo shape, a lovely well-balanced design (more of a 'compact' jumbo as it's in no way small!) that provides stunningly rich and defined tone. With a price tag nearing £4k, it needs to be something special. Thankfully, it is.
Look
At first glance, it's a beautiful guitar. The body shape has subtle rounded lines and just enough appointments to look smart but not over the top. This is a custom model and as such is one of only a handful of Atkins to feature a rich satin finish (think more Lowden than Larrivee), as well as Cocobolo back and sides.
The beautiful woods are complimented by Cocobolo binding, a black pearl rosette and back inlay, and Gotoh black machine heads. As is common on Atkin guitars, it doesn't have any fretboard markers on the top of the fretboard which adds to the classy appearance.
You can't help but want to pick it up and play!
Sound
Unusually on an acoustic guitar, Alister has used mahogany bracing, and the results are excellent. The tone is superb. It sounds how it looks, rich, warm, plush, luxurious but understated. Fantastic sustain across all strings, and a sparkling top end. It's a guitar that can pretty much do anything – fingerpicking, strumming, even bluegrass flatpicking. It also handles alternate tunings with ease so would make a great folk guitar.
Overall
It comes at a price, but for a custom handmade instrument this is by no means extortionate. A brilliant all-round professional acoustic guitar which excels in every practical area. It also doesn't look too flashy or ornate to take on tour. A stunner.
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