The Alhambra Mengual y Margarit Series C series Concert Classical Guitar, built by master luthiers Jose Menguel and Javier Margarit, feature lattice braced tops and French Polish finish, with the highest quality materials used throughout. Two versions are offered by The Twelfth Fret, with Red Cedar or European Spruce for the top. The Alhambra site lists only the Cedar version.
Lattice bracing is a relatively recent development, allowing greater stiffness from a thinner, highly responsive top. This bracing style is complex – in this case there are nearly 60 pieces used. It is primarily attractive to advanced and professional players, who can draw greater subtleties of tone that aren’t available to those less skilled. Because of the thinness of the top and despite the added stiffness offered by the lattice, this style can be effectively ‘overdriven’ when played hard; Alhambra’s luthiers have struck a balance between thinness and stiffness, allowing the guitar to respond well regardless of the volume pulled from it.
Built in the traditional Spanish manner with a slipper heel integrating the sides, back, neck and top, the Alhambra Mengual y Margarit pairs solid Indian Rosewood for the sides, back, headplate and bridge with either Red Cedar or European Spruce top, Spanish Cedar neck with an Ebony fingerboard.
These guitars carry a French Polish finish, hand applied and very thin to impose minimal restrictions on the guitar’s vibration. French Polish is delicate, so a thin plastic tap plate is provided with the guitar; it can be quickly installed should the player desire it.
For hardware, the Alhambra Mengual y Margarit uses bone nut and saddle, with excellent Schaller GrandTune tuning machines in gold plating, with faux pearl buttons.
Two versions of the Alhambra Mengual y Margarit are offered by The Twelfth Fret, with Red Cedar or European Spruce (pictured) for the top.
DETAILS:
- Red Cedar or European Spruce Top.
- Cedar neck with reinforced Ebony.
- Lattice bracing.
- French Polish.
- Indian Rosewood back, sides, headplate and bridge.
- Ebony Fingerboard.
- Schaller GrandTune Tuning Machines.
- Maestro-build and signed by Master Luthier.
- Hardshell case included.
