Squareneck Model C.11 Master #063 (Spruce/Rosewood/Mahogany)
“GENERAL/LOOKS:
This might very well be the most beautiful object I ever purchased. The craftsmanship on this guitar is so devoted to details, the parts look as if they had been molten in place. There is not a single careless spot to be found anywhere. We may all feel that sound and playability are the most important things, but if we’re honest, the admiring sounds of surprise and awe when fellow musicians just look at our instrument always makes us fall in love with our instrument all over again. And this guitar inspired quite a few cries of amazement just for how beautifully it has been put together and set up.
SOUND/PLAYABILITY:
Most people look for increased low-end when they go for a custom built guitar. And this instrument offers a lot of it. In fact, it almost feels as if you get additional three strings, because I can now use the bass strings for soloing, fills and even more intricate rhythm work in a way that simply did not make sense before, because on my previous instruments there was not efficient volume and punch to the bass strings. But apart from the low-end which you would probably expect, the treble is what really surprised me: The ease with which you can make a note rise above a full string band setting in a purely acoustic setup is overwhelming. I have had many people comment on how the dobro/steel sound finally can be heard clearly and smoothly. This is especially important. The treble is not harsh or annoying. The whole upper range is smooth and full of clarity. The wonderful thing soundwise about this guitar is that you have easy access to a wide full range of low to high frequencies at any fret (up to the 20th…actually even higher) just by varying your right-hand. Wether you dig in or barely touch the strings, if you strum a full chord between the screens or pick single notes right next to the bridge…any position offers a different useful sound. It is inspiring to be able to explore all these new possibilities. Likewise, I also feel as if I got ten (or more) additional frets than on my previous guitar. Most squarenecks have a sweet range up to a certain fret and decline in sound quality upwards of this certain fret. You then learn how to avoid ranges that do not sound nice anymore. On this instrument, however, everything from the 12th fret upwards sounds just as sweet and full as anything below…it’s just higher notes, not decreasing in quality. It opens up octaves I did not consider before. Even playing in the range above the last indicated fret yielded musically useful sounds. How Karel did that is a mystery to me.
Also, this thing is loud which means you can relax your right hand, more than anything. No need to squeeze your guitar, this instrument makes it easy to play.
SHOP/SERVICE EXPERIENCE:
I found you, Karel, to be responsive, friendly, patient and competent. Frankly, you sound just like a nice guy who happens to be able to build fantastic guitars. It really helped from the first moments of decision-making up to now, a few days after my instrument arrived and I had a few additional questions about maintenance and the like. All in all, it was a very nice shopping and purchase experience, which I would trustfully recommend to anyone looking for a masterbuilt instrument with no compromise.”
Murat Kayi played with people like: Peter Freiberg, Paul Joses, Die Feuersteins. In his radio show he had as guests and played with people like Enno Bunger, Cynthia Nikschas and „Berge”.