Excelsior Super King Gloss Natural 2009 Handmade Acoustic Guitar

This is a very special Excelsior Super King acoustic guitar in Gloss Natural finish. Handmade in the UK in 2009, Excelsior Guitars was started by Luthier Richard Fill and is the product of his passion for fine handcrafted instruments. 60 years of experience and fine eye for detail. This Super King guitar exudes quality and displays the utmost care for craftsmanship and excellence. This acoustic guitar features an all-solid construction comprising a AAA Spruce top, Flamed Maple back and sides, Figured Maple neck and 22/24 fret Ebony fingerboard embellished with Mother Of Pearl split block inlays. Gold hardware is featured including a unique hand-made brass tailpiece along with an Ebony adjustable bridge- also adorned with Mother Of Pearl inlays- and a set of three-a-side Grover Imperial tuning machines.

Richard Fill made this guitar to get a better understanding of the bracing techniques that Jimmy D’Aquisto designed for some of his most famed instruments. The styling on this guitar is very reminiscent of D’Aquisto with the oval soundhole, tailpiece and pickguard design displaying Richard’s ‘nod of the head’ to Jimmy D’Aquisto, and faithfully so.

The Figured Maple neck plays beautifully, with what might be described as an asymmetrical profile that feels particularly unique to this guitar. This sits exceptionally comfortably in the hand and provides a smooth and responsive playing experience in any register. The Ebony fingerboard is effortlessly smooth under the fingers and adds a real sense of luxury to the playing experience- especially with the binding and Mother Of Pearl inlays which perfectly suit this beautifully made guitar. The 12” radius provides a nicely flat and consistent playing surface right the way up the register, facilitating both chordal and melodic styles of playing very well. The body design is very much on the larger side, measuring 18” at the lower bout. This larger design sits very comfortably against the body without being cumbersome and offers the player a fatigue-free playing experience, making this beautiful guitar enjoyable for longer periods of playing.

The acoustic voice of the Super King is rich in harmonics yet well balanced. The lows are understated yet accurate, whilst mids and treble are more prominent. This helps each note ring out with a crystal clean clarity. The hand-made nature of this guitar and wood selection results in a lively and resonant playing experience, whilst the AAA Spruce top projects very well and provides a wide and sensitive dynamic range. Richard Fill applied ‘Light’ bracing to this guitar which in turn provides the top with more ‘drive’, making chords sing proud whilst melodic lines produce rich harmonics. This is a beautifully hand-made instrument from one of the UK’s most underrated luthiers, offering a guitar that displays a perfect example of a master craftsman.

Luthier Report

Our ID: 1180826233100

Weight: 7.6lbs

Serial: 091

Aesthetic Condition:

Headstock: Overall very good condition. The finish demonstrates cracking surrounding the binding, caused by changes in temperature and humidity. This is typical of this finish. The sides and edges demonstrate very light markings difficult to discern against the natural finish.Very light scratching to the front face can be seen under direct light, as is common with high gloss finishes.

Neck: Overall very good condition. Slight chipping of the fingerboard is present, most notable in the higher register of the board. This is consistent with previous fretwork.

Body: Overall very good condition. A small repair is apparent to the rear bass side lower bout edge. This is beneath the finish. Some wear which pierces the finish and reveals the wood beneath is apparent to the edge beside this. The center of the rear demonstrates some very light nitro burn, visible only under direct lighting at certain angles. All aspects of the body demonstrate light scratching visible under direct lighting at certain angles. The finish demonstrates cracking surrounding the binding, caused by changes in temperature and humidity. This is typical of this finish.

Condition of Frets:

This instrument has had a level and re-crown to ensure improved playability.There is moderate material remaining for any future fret work the new owner may wish to perform.

Current Set Up:

Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (5/16” socket) not included.

Hardware: Fully functional with light signs of wear.

Structural: A slight hump in the neck is apparent at the joint with the body. The necessary fretwork has been performed to alleviate any issues with this.

Height of the string from the 12th Fret-1.5mm - Bass 2mm

Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.

Strings on Guitar - 11-52

Electrics:

N/A

Case & Accessories:

AcusticaOnline soft guitar case

The case demonstrates light signs of use. Truss rod tool not included.