AIDAN EDWARDS, Strontian, Scotland Spruce / Scottish Oak 2024 3,500.00
Top : Spruce
Back and sides : Scottish Oak
Neck : Scottish Oak
Fingerboard : Purple Heart
Rosette : Strontian laburnum inlaid with sycamore
Finish : Oil varnish
Hard case.
Aidan Edwards hails from the beautiful west highland village of Strontian on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Here he has been making exquisite guitars from local woods since the 1970s.
If you visit Ardnamurchan you will be immediately aware of the abundance of centuries old mixed woodland which Aidan has been able to draw on for his guitars, with only the top and bridge woods needing to be imported. As with many luthiers nowadays, Aidan has always been keenly aware that it is good practice to use local woods where possible.
As a classical guitar player you may well ask if these unusual woods make a difference to the sound and construction of the guitar. Construction wise there is no reason to doubt their suitability for instrument making. This guitar is constructed in the traditional Spanish way with seven fan struts.
As we know most of the sound of the guitar comes from the top, so with that being European spruce the sound is not so radical as some might expect in respect of using oak as the back and sides. There is a rich quality to the sound with lovely sustain and overtones which is I suspect more to do with the way Aidan has voiced the guitar than with the woods used. It is easy to play and has a strong tone when playing pianissimo and the sound carries easily.
Beautifully crafted with stunning aesthetics this is a guitar that will be a joy to own.