2015 Kovacik Guitars Pre-war D-18 style

2015 Kovacik Guitars #70 pre-war D-18 style guitar

This guitar was built 5 years ago for a local customer who has since developed some shoulder pain issues that make the reach around the dreadnought body difficult. The guitar has some design aspects that echo Martin's pre-war guitars (forward-shifted/scalloped X bracing, red spruce top, ebony fret board and bridge, 1 3/4 nut width) and some modern features like an adjustable truss rod and comfortable low profile neck. The mahogany back and sides are old Martin factory wood that was purchased from the shop of a Nazareth area luthier by the name of Richard Jones many years ago. The Adirondack red spruce top is very well quarter sawn, showing even grain throughout the width of the top and nice medullary rays or "silking" in the grain. Very high quality top. The guitar has been played regularly in the 5 years since it was built but was cared for meticulously so it has only one or two superficial finish marks, looks practically brand new. The frets are in excellent condition. There is a Fishman pickup installed which was put in a year or two after the owner took delivery on the guitar. The action is currently set at 7/64" at the low E at the 12th fret and 6/64" at the high E with plenty of saddle left to lower the action if desired. The neck is adjusted with just the slightest amount of relief, which of course can be manipulated to customize the set up to your playing style. The intonation is excellent all over the neck and the guitar plays cleanly with no buzz. The guitar has a big, bold voice when flat picked, an excellent guitar for bluegrass ensemble play or vocal accompaniment. However, it is very responsive to a light fingerstyle touch as well. Comes with a Geib style 5 ply hardshell case. $3200 plus shipping.