Keijo Korelin – 2018 Doubletop

Description

Keijo Korelin is one of the most prominent luthiers in Finland. He has been working full-time as a guitar builder since 2006 and has focused on double tops since 2007 as a result of many experiments and collaboration with guitar makers such as Gernot Wagner and Gregory Byers. Korelin focuses on the quality of the sound rather than the volume. He builds a limited number of 10 guitars per year and has a waiting list of one and a half years. His guitars could be described as “powerful modern concert guitars with a sophisticated sound.”

This beautiful “Triticum” double top concert guitar is a very special instrument. It is a combination of Antonio de Torres’ legacy, Korelin’s own ideas, and modern building techniques. For example, it features a Nomex double top and a raised fingerboard, combined with a more traditional fan bracing. Interestingly, the outside of the top is made of spruce, while the inner part is made of cedar. This combination provides a warm and accurate tone, with great timbres and superb sustain. Keijo has been striving for years to replace all exotic woods with local ones, and this guitar is a perfect example of succeeding. The back and sides are made of Arctic birch, a fantastic tonewood, as this guitar proves. The instrument was built in 2018, served as a reference guitar, and therefore has not had a previous owner.

This wonderful instrument can sound both gentle and robust. It has the potential to fill any concert hall with a virtuosic tone, and remains just as convincing when played piano or in slow and carried pieces. The treble sounds rich and pronounced, with an interesting compact tone and great sustain. A real sense of equilibrium emanates from this instrument, resulting in a delightful playing experience for any passionate guitarist.