MusicRadar

A unique looking signature acoustic for under £500.

1 of 4 » View in gallery

• Review

Gordon Giltrap is one of the most respected acoustic guitarist these shores have ever produced. A true pioneer of his art, Giltrap has released a staggering 30 albums over four decades. His unadulterated love for what he describes as "the hollow magic box" has resulted in Giltrap amassing an enviable collection of guitars.

About 10 years ago, Giltrap purchased a Rob Armstrong guitar built in 1980. This evergreen instrument continues to be at the forefront of Gordon's recordings and concerts alike. It's this prized guitar that serves as the template for this new Vintage signature model.

The VE2000GG is a curious looking guitar. Fans and followers of Giltrap will be familiar with its unusual shape, but first time viewers are struck by the sweeping lines and ultra-tight waist. In fact, you might well think this is how a regular 000 would look in a funhouse mirror.

In essence, the VE2000GG falls somewhere between a Grand Auditorium and an 000; the upper bout more 000, the lower bout more Grand Auditorium. This morphing of two established guitar models produces a comparatively uncommon scale length of 642mm/25.27-inch, which splits the difference between the more common scale lengths of 633mm/24.9-inch and 645mm/25.4-inch.

The VE2000GG's waist is very slender, measuring just 206mm - a full 31mm narrower than a Martin OM28. If the guitar lacks capacity in the upper bout, it makes up for it in the lower bout, which measures a full 405mm at its widest, pushing it closer to jumbo territory.

These pear-shaped dimensions actually make for a very comfortable guitar. Whether played with a raised left foot (as Giltrap does) or in the more common seated with raised right leg position, the VE2000GG feels well balanced, secure and non-taxing.

In keeping with Giltrap's 'original' Armstrong, fabulous pieces of solid North American red cedar, with tight, ruler-straight grain, have been used for the book-matched soundboard. A bright, honey-hued selection of mahogany makes the back, sides and five-piece 'C' profile stacked-heel neck.

Contrasting binding and coach-lining to both the back and front accentuates the VE2000GG's curves. We particularly like the detailed parquetry featured on the guitar's back, which serves to join the two pieces of laminate mahogany. This same parquetry runs along the base to where the strap button/jack input is located.

The VE2000GG is simply yet effectively appointed: a simple rosette, abalone-inlaid fretboard markers and an elegant 12th fret 'wings' inlaid motif is also abalone.

Giltrap's Armstrong has two pickguards. Our review model isn't fitted with any, although future models will ship with an unfitted, standard tortoiseshell pickguard, so you have the option to fit it post-purchase.

The tapered headstock is Armstrong's signature shape and it incorporates a truss rod cover that features the Armstrong 'A' logo. In our view, having lines as dramatic as these removes the need for more embellishment and JHS (the UK company behind the Vintage brand), along with input from Giltrap and Armstrong, have done an excellent job in presenting a stylish, eye-catching and yet tasteful guitar.