In 2015 we met Swedish luthier Ted Astrand for the first time at the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, where were able to play two of his guitars, and bring one back to Dream Guitars to sell (it lasted all of about three days before it was sold). This year, we’ve acquired one of Ted’s most recent builds, a 2016 Å-OM African Blackwood and Italian Moon Spruce–and we’ve already found a home for this guitar, too!

Before we sent it to its new owner, we were able to photograph and record it at our showroom, and we’re very grateful for that: this guitar is an experience no one should pass up, given the opportunity. To start, the Honduran Mahogany neck has a satin neck that feel instantly familiar like your favorite old guitar, and the setup is dialed in for fingerstyle perfection; glass-smooth and low, buzz free, with a comfortable C profile for easy fretting.

Moving onto the body, you’re struck by the contrast of the inky dark grain of the African Blackwood against the cream tones of the Italian Moon Spruce top, and a quick glance under the hood via the soundport shows Ted‘s delicate bracing pattern that enables his tops to be so thin and so resonant. Across the fretboard you can see Ted’s collaboration with inlay artist Magnus Ramel, a piece they call “Particle Collision.”

The voice, now, the voice is something else entirely. The string to string balance is impeccable, perfect for the fingerstylist who needs a consistently even response across the fretboard without bass notes that overpower or shrill trebles. delicate overtones rise up from the middle and upper registers that color, but don’t dominate, the voice, and when we lowered the guitar into DADGAD and beyond, the tone remained crisp and well-focused. Needless to say, we cannot wait until the next Astrand guitar comes through our doors.