2001 Hipner Parlour Brazilian Rosewood – £2499

NEW ARRIVAL  Based in Washington, Darren Hipner is better known for his high end Spanish guitars, but here he’s produced a great quality steel strung parlour guitar, with a neck that feels closer to a Spanish style with flat fingerboard. As a sign of the build quality, the guitar has an Engelmann Spruce top with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, a 12 fret neck, Ebony fingerboard and bridge, and Maple binding. The tone is quite direct, with good attack and long sustain. The Engelmann  provides warmth, and the Brazilian adds a clarity, and a shimmer to the notes as they bloom. It works particularly well with fingerstyle work, rich and evenly balanced. The guitar is very versatile, handling blues, folk and country with ease. As a 24 year old guitar, the tone has matured well, and it’s in very good condition for it’s age, with just one small lacquer crack on the back. The guitar comes in it’s original hard case.