Though he was already well-established as a professional luthier with a backlog of orders, French-Syrian guitar maker Michel Aboudib recently completed an apprenticeship with the legendary Ervin Somogyi just this autumn. His MA-D model is inspired by the Modified Dreadnought Ervin originated, though the distinct shape and size is Michel's own design. In fact, players who prefer mid-sized guitars need not be put off by the term "dreadnought" at all in this case. This multi-scale model measures around 15.5" across the lower bout and has a tight waist, so it delivers up the perfect combo of balance and rich bass. It toggles seamlessly between fingerstyle and plectrum playing.

This particular Italian spruce top is stiff but slightly denser, so Michel took great care to voice it for maximum responsiveness for a wide variety of playing styles. Cocobolo abounds, from the back and sides to the fretboard and bridge, offering up its clarity and ringing sustain. Each and every one of Michel's guitars is a unique piece of visual art, and this one sports a one-of-a-kind rosette inspired by the delicate reflective scales of the trout. Carved directly in the top and finished with a shellac (the rest is nitro), he creatively matched it with a sparkling blue-green ombre effect on the back of the headstock, and blue-green purfling throughout. It's ready for the road and the stage with a Calton case and K&K Trinity Pro pickup.

"I listen to each piece of wood I use and I keep listening as I build so that what the player and their audience hear hopefully transcends our world or maybe simply honors it."