The 10th guitar Michael Bashkin ever made, this 2001 JM has held up well in its two decades. Crafted of cedar and Honduran rosewood and sealed with a French polish finish, it has a well-rounded, mature tone, with a little vintage guitar-like warmth and crystal clear trebles. Though it's more traditional in tone and the appointments are understated, you can see where Michael would be headed with his distinctive aesthetic touches. The tapered headstock and asymmetrical Honduran rosewood bridge add a unique flair, while still keeping the focus on the warm hues of the wood.
Structurally this guitar is in excellent condition, the frets look nearly new, and the set-up is versatile and comfortable to play. There is evidence of a repaired crack along the wood grain next to the fretboard that is stable. The top has some cosmetic marks, most notable being a quarter-sized smudge next to the bridge that can't be buffed out given the French polish finish. There are also a handful of superficial nicks and small scratches on the top that don't break through the finish.
