Jean Petrov
“… a perfect tonal balance with powerfull projection, a real good bottom-end…”
“Hi guys, here’s my last jewel from the MV custom shop !
I’d say first this guitar, as you can see, is a replica of the ’60 Gibson HB and so was built with a great care on the specs & shape of this time.This means that the neck is a short scale with medium jumbo frets which gives a real easy playability all along the board.
The back & sides of the body is Mahogany Sipo, the top & the forward scalloped X-bracing is Sitka Spruce, so the result is a perfect tonal balance with powerfull projection,a real good bottom-end,maybe a bit too shiny on high-end but this guitar is brand new… it has to be played to give the best.
The LR Bags Element inserted under the ivory saddle is very efficient and doesn’t need a lot of EQ when plugged on my AER to give a “close to natural-accoustic” sound.
Then what to say about the look…the “Red Sunburst”…It’s simply wonderfull, just like the finish, the parallelograms inlays and the headstock design ! All of those gives you such a nice feeling as well for the looking, the touch and the ear ! So now, let’s play!”
Nick Alexakis
“…A loud, clear, articulate bell-ringing and stand-out instrument…”
A while back i started thinking of purchasing a Martin, preferably a D-28 since its the most recognizable Martin up to date. I had a Gibson j-200 maple/spruce and a Sheryl crow mahogany/spruce so far, so a rosewood D-28 seemed like the best option. I decided to have Manolis hand- manufacture this guitar for me, since not only I have seen (and heard) his work, but I also wanted to “tweak” this construction a little bit to my preferences.
The outcome was indeed marvelous. A loud, clear, articulate bell-ringing and stand-out instrument, with less than half the price of the Martin one, and more features (Abalone finishes and better tuners). Plus Manolis custom-made this guitar to sound its best, with custom bracings and pre-war construction settings. Above all, when i actually played a martin D-41 at a shop, it did not impress me at all compared to my custom made model. That should mean a lot. Last but not least, it was rather interesting and fun to “build” your instrument in time, I have pictures from all this process and Manolis consulted and beared with me all the way.Thanks Manos!
George Karapanagiotis
”…it’s an investment. You can’t make this guitar sound bad! A high-quality, beautifully crafted instrument”
This guitar is by far the best musical purchase that I have ever had. Actually I feel it’s more than that, it’s an investment. You can’t make this guitar sound bad! It has resonance and dynamic that feels alive, but a tone that is just perfectly balanced. Tonally, it is everything one would expect from a large-body rosewood guitar, which is to say spectacular. The body has an impressive vintage tobacco sunburst with a gorgeous abalone trim and rosette. Truly a unique model with my special custom mother of pearl design at the headstock. A high-quality, beautifully crafted instrument.