Inspired by the early work of C.F. Martin, Swedish luthier Thomas Fredholm has been handcrafting high quality guitars since the 1980s. Fredholm builds his steel strings in using the “traditional classical” method, upside down with the traditional Spanish peones (glue blocks) inside, and frequently uses forward-shifted bracing and French polish finishes. The result we've heard with every one of his guitars is a tone that is reminiscent of the best Golden Era guitars, but each with a distinct character only he achieves.
This shade top dreadnought features a torrefied Adirondack Spruce top and 60-year-old Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. The back, flawlessly assembled, is actually four pieces. The Honduran Mahogany neck is topped by 30-year-old Ebony. This guitar has an incredibly clear, woody attack and strong fundamentals—quite like cocobolo (though cocobolo is often described as being like old BRW!). The mid-range is clearer than you might expect from Rosewood, and the resonant bass is big but not boomy. Like Fredholm's other dreadnoughts, this is a versatile workhorse that sounds just as good fingerpicked as flatpicked. The gold mother of pearl inlays are striking, and the rosette is modeled after an old Martin/Stauffer style.
This guitar comes to us after a short trial period from a local musician, in excellent condition, built just in 2021, and with CITES paperwork.
