Brian continues to expand his reputation in the double top world with this, his latest guitar. This double top is constructed with an outer top of the special "Ruck Cedar log", and the inner top is of the highest quality European Spruce, with Nomex ala Dammann in between and supported by specially designed fan bracing. The tone is focused, clear, with the perfect balance of clarity and warmth arising from the expert blend of the Cedar 'Ruck Log" noted below and the Spruce inner top. Wonderful tonal colors, excellent separation, and concert level volume. For those who find some Cedar double tops too 'dark' for their taste, Brian's double tops provide an excellent alternative with their sparkle and clarity. A truly contemporary double top.

The famous "Ruck Log" that Robert Ruck owns, produces some of the most spectacular and unique Cedar I have heard. The qualities are truly unique in that this particular wood has all the characteristics of Cedar: warmth, sustain, volume, yet unlike most Cedar, this wood also has many of the characteristics of Spruce, clarity, separation, precision. It is truly the perfect blend. The result is highly focused yet not at all restricted. Super responsive and warm, yet clear. Precise yet musical. A sound that begs you to explore what you can create next. Fortunately Brian has secured some additional sets of this special and unique wood for future guitars as well.

Even playing back near the bridge was a delightful experience because the guitar is unusually full and rich in that area where many guitars can be thin and almost tinny. It is perfect for multi layered melody lines due to the excellent separation of voices and the overall experience is purely delightful. The playability is excellent as well, particularly in the upper registers, aided by a healthy elevated fingerboard. The elevation is in between that you would find on a Dammann and a Humphrey or a Byers, maybe about mid way between those, so access is very enhanced in that area.

The workmanship is of the highest level, and the fret work is perhaps among the best I have ever seen. It is no surprise that when Sergio Assad needed the frets on his Humphrey re-done, and David Russell needed work on the frets of his Dammann that they both asked Brian to accomplish the task. Flawless.

The finish is lacquer, the tuners are the finest in the world: Graf. Brian has also added a convenient and cleverly designed sliding lid for the sound port that allows you to easily slide it open or closed instantly, no loose 'caps' to loose or fiddle with, nice touch.

The Rosette, headstock and tie block are all ornamented in stunning Desert Ironwood, a wood so rare that it is protected and very difficult to come by. The use of this rare and wonderful wood adds a unique artistic accent as if to say 'this guitar is as rare and special as this wood'. A beautiful aesthetic, that at once is a nod to the traditional heritage of the guitar and at the same time reminds us that the guitar has evolved into a much more dynamic and contemporary instrument than ever before.

Another very fine concert guitar from Brian...

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