Instruments available now

  • Martin Simpson’s MS Mk 2 Brazilian rosewood guitar

     

     Now sold subject to confirmation – 21 Dec 2020

    Steve Maguire is selling his 2005 MS Mk 2 Brazilian rosewood guitar.  This was Martin Simpson’s main guitar for many years and was featured on the following albums:  Prodigal Son, True Stories, Purpose and Grace and The Full English.  It is in wonderful condition (both Martin and Steve look after their guitars) with just a little marking under the strings where Martin caught the soundboard with his thumb-pick. The guitar comes in an attractive Spider case.

    This guitar is built from my wonderfully coloured and figured scantling Brazilian (see photos below), brought to Europe in the early 1900s.  It is fully certified with APHA, the UK CITES department; this certification allows it to be sold anywhere in the world. The soundboard is aged German spruce, the neck and headstock are Cuban mahogany and the tuners are the original gold Gotoh 510s.  The combination of sound, looks and provenance make this an iconic guitar.

    Steve is reluctantly selling to make way for his Anniversary Verona Model guitar.  He can be contacted by email at: mrmaguiz@googlemail.com.

     

     

     

     

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  • Left handed Guitar-cittern

    I have a brand new left-handed guitar-cittern for sale.  Built for a left-handed customer, it has a small cosmetic blemish on the left side of the rosette and the customer decided not to take it.

    As shown right, I have fitted a faux tortoiseshell pick-guard which covers the blemish, goes well with the Sitka soundboard and protects against scratches.

    This is a top specification instrument, with its amber coloured figured Sitka soundboard and best aged African Blackwood back and sides.  The neck is from my 20 year stored Brazilian mahogany, the headstock veneer is African Blackwood.

    It has my standard 585 mm (23″) cittern scale and is fitted with 1:21 ratio Gotoh 510 tuners  – in my opinion the very best available – with black buttons.  It comes complete with Hiscox Artist series case.

    It is fitted with an active Highlander pickup, with pre-amp built into the End Pin Jack Socket and on-board battery.  I have found Highlanders give far the best amplified sound in my instruments.  This guitar-cittern sounds excellent both acoustically and amplified; full and well balanced. It is strung to tune GDAE or similar.

    I’m aware of the age-old conundrum: why can a left-handed musician looking for a left handed instrument not find one, while a seller looking for a left handed musician can’t find one either.

    However, converting to right handed is not a viable option because of the asymmetric fixed bridge.

    Tail showing  African Blackwood sides, Highlander pickup EPJS and black Rocklite binding with red/gold/green purfling.

    African Blackwood back, Brazilian mahogany neck

    Gotoh 1;20 tuners with black buttons

    Brazilian mahogany heel

     

    My list price for a guitar-bouzouki or guitar-cittern built with figured Sitka and African Blackwood and including Highlander pickup and Artist line Hiscox case is £9790.

    Because of the concealed blemish, I am offering this instrument at £8000.  Shipping would be extra.

    For any queries or more information, email stefan@sobellguitars.com or telephone +44 (0) 1434 673567. If you call and miss me, leave a message and I’ll call you back.