2017 Bagnasco & Casati D-18 12-fret Sunburst

This stunning D-18 12-fret slotted headstock in 1935 sunburst by Bagnasco & Casati Guitar Makers of Savona, is just in on consignment. When I first opened the case, I thought it might be from Henkes & Blazer rather than B&C so I immediately pinged Andreas. He replied that “The finish on that D-18 is the German lacquer that we were (sic) suggested by Willi and Rudie”. It seems this is part of a transitional batch built just prior to introducing their new “thin skin”. It’s a gorgeous guitar with a Gibson-like tea burst over a full moon harvested Alpine Spruce top with D-18 appointments and mahogany back and sides stained dark. Top and back binding is faux tortoise with w/b/w trim on the top with a simple rosette in the same motif. The belly-down bridge is an exact replica from Martin’s golden era. The mahogany neck with slotted headstock with Golden Age Restoration tuners in relic nickel measures 1 13/16” at the nut with a modified V profile with 2 3/8” spacing at the bridge. The 30’s style pickguard makes the whole package look somewhat like Norman Blake’s famous ’34 12-fret D-28 that many of us hold in such high esteem. Condition-wise it is near mint. The top has been tuned with golden era bracing and it rings with volume and dynamic range. There is something about these 12-fret dreads that is special whether because of the position of the bridge, the additional surface of the top, or the feeling that every note is “right there”. A very special artisan guitar in every way.