Baden 'A' Rosewood Auditorium (S$2400)

SOLD!!

"Baden? What brand is that?!?" some of you may ask...

Back when acoustic guitars were completely hand made by craftsman working their passion into each guitar, they had a certain beauty and character that has definitely spanned the test of time. Many of these beauties remain today as legends of tone and value. The prospect of offering a guitar that is totally built in the old school, hand made tradition, excites T.J. Baden who is very pleased to announce just such a guitar. T.J. Baden, who formerly headed sales and marketing for Taylor guitars, has introduced a distinctive new line of acoustic guitars under the Baden brand. Everything about the new Baden guitars, from their design and ornamentation to their country of origin, is distinctive. All of the instruments are solid wood and boast a spare, elegant design characterized by subtle wood binding and rosettes. The new Baden guitars are handcrafted at the Ayers factory in Viet Nam. At the core of the operation are six French-trained master luthiers. While most high-end acoustic guitars made in the U.S. are the product of automation and handwork, instruments coming out of the Ayers plant are hand built from start to finish. Every instrument has its own soul and is unique.

Check out this review from Guitar World and this review from Acoustic Guitar Magazine.

This is probably the very first Baden guitar in Singapore. Do not be mistaken by its plain looks. Baden has chosen to go for a more spartan look on its guitars to differentiate themselves from other brands. From the rosewood binding to the rosewood soundhole binding and inlay, Baden has chosen top-notch quality woods to adorn this 6-string wooden instrument. The Sitka Spruce top is creamy-white (akin to Englemann spruce) with lots of silking while the East Indian Rosewood back/sides have lots of variations in color tones with striping patterns which I have never seen before on rosewood, almost like that of striped ebony or macassar ebony. There may not be any fanciful abalone or bling bling but the woods used on the guitar are absolutely gorgeous looking. Even the name on the headstock is not inlayed but what I believe to be a laser-etching process. At the top of the soundhole is a small triangular inlay which is a very subtle but elegant touch to the entire look of the guitar.

Design-wise, Baden has redesigned the 'A' or Auditorium shape of the guitar to incorporate a cutaway without having a cutaway (see the pics to know what I mean). Overall, I think this imparts a very sexy and unique shape to the guitar that is both asthetically pleasing and functional at the same time. The hand-rubbed mahogany neck is extremely comfortable, one of the most comfortable necks I have ever played. It's neither too slim nor too chunky, but it just fits nicely in between. Asian hands will like the feel of this neck. Tone-wise, this guitar will definitely blow guitars that are twice its price out of the waters. It has a deep growling bass reminiscent of that of the Taylor GS series, but with more oomph and punch. The mids are also more articulate (not thin) with pleasing trebles that ring clearly. Sustain and projection are definitely at the upper end of guitars within this price range.


Brand new is USD$2499 after discount.
Our special price: S$2400 only.

Specs:
Top: Sitka Spruce
Back/Sides: Solid East Indian Rosewood
Rosewood fingerboard
Rosewood binding on body and soundhole
Size: Grand Auditorium with cutaway
Electronics: None
Nut width: 1 3/4"
Tuners: Gold tuners with ebony buttons
OHSC case included

Click here for more high-res pics!!

Email me at vjcs20@gmail.com if you are interested.