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.

Ted Astrand approaches guitar building as a fine art: “I truly believe guitar-making to be an art form. Throughout the whole process of building a guitar I treat each object and peice of wood like its a piece of art.” If Astrand were a painter, his work would be characterized by smooth, graceful lines and the harmonious relationships of shapes. Luckily for us, Astrand’s chosen medium is the guitar, where his elegant aesthetic is given the opportunity to both inform the appearance and the voice of his work. The 2015 A-OM that we had in the store (for a matter of hours) has provided us with the first glimpse at his craftsmanship–and we wish we had a lifetime, instead. The voice is perfectly weighted between the steady, well-defined low-end and the shimmering trebles by a middle register which flows like silk. This guitar inspired thoughtful, introspective arrangements each time we played it. The instant you place the Madagascar Rosewood back and sides against your leg and ribs, the lightweight construction feels delicate, until you play your first chord and a rich, colorful tone bursts out of the Bearclaw European Spruce top. At that point, if you don’t feel something tugging at your heartstrings, you might not be human. Astrand’s 26th guitar is a resounding success as a fingerstylist’s companion, and as a work of art. We cannot wait until the next one falls into our lap.

This beauty was custom made for a customer. Beautiful Claro Walnut and Sitka Spruce. Call us today to get your Bamburg.

The Bamburg Signature Model design incorporates a cantilevered neck, Radial back bracing and a beautiful Carpathian Spruce top. Jeff sent us this guitar for a demo but we were so impressed we just had to have it. It’s gorgeous and impeccably built with a compelling voice that is reminscent of Olson and Ryan but one that also has an original quality to it. We are thrilled to begin our offering of Bamburg guitars with this stunning Ebony masterpiece.