Suda D-18
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:17 am
Thought I'd share a recent acquisition here, and maybe see if anyone else experience with Mr. Suda's work.
I'd heard of these, but never had my hands on one. The fact that Kenny Smith, Chris Eldridge, Josh Williams all play them didn't help abate my curiosity. I've had it for less than a day, but wanted to share a bit...see if anyone else owns one...or otherwise has other interesting knowledge or experience.
This one's a pretty straightforward 1930's D-18 inspired guitar. It's wide necked, has no popsicle brace, features a lightly braced top with small bridge plate, low wide #3 and #4 back braces, hide glue, and T-bar. The woods are Honduran mahogany and red spruce. I noticed two places he deviates a bit, or did on this one at least. The purfling appears to all wood, on the rosette and around the body. The finish is varnish rather than lacquer. It appears to be a very thin finish, so I have no problem with it. I also noticed there is no vertical maple reinforcement strip on the tail block. Those are minor details. Some would perceive both the purfling and finish to be better even.
The guitar sounds and plays great. I'd like to have the action just a hair higher on the treble, but that's easily fixed. I have new M550 strings on it now. I'll record something after they've had a bit to settle, but I can tell you even now that it is a very strong sounding guitar. Great, firm tone too. I bought just with trying it out in mind, but maybe it'll hang around a while.
Here are a few photos of mine. I'd love to hear about your experience with Suda guitars.
I'd heard of these, but never had my hands on one. The fact that Kenny Smith, Chris Eldridge, Josh Williams all play them didn't help abate my curiosity. I've had it for less than a day, but wanted to share a bit...see if anyone else owns one...or otherwise has other interesting knowledge or experience.
This one's a pretty straightforward 1930's D-18 inspired guitar. It's wide necked, has no popsicle brace, features a lightly braced top with small bridge plate, low wide #3 and #4 back braces, hide glue, and T-bar. The woods are Honduran mahogany and red spruce. I noticed two places he deviates a bit, or did on this one at least. The purfling appears to all wood, on the rosette and around the body. The finish is varnish rather than lacquer. It appears to be a very thin finish, so I have no problem with it. I also noticed there is no vertical maple reinforcement strip on the tail block. Those are minor details. Some would perceive both the purfling and finish to be better even.
The guitar sounds and plays great. I'd like to have the action just a hair higher on the treble, but that's easily fixed. I have new M550 strings on it now. I'll record something after they've had a bit to settle, but I can tell you even now that it is a very strong sounding guitar. Great, firm tone too. I bought just with trying it out in mind, but maybe it'll hang around a while.
Here are a few photos of mine. I'd love to hear about your experience with Suda guitars.