Jason Kostal MDW Cocobolo, 2020

Condition: near mint, with little evidence of being played.

ABOUT KOSTAL' S MDW MODEL (Modified Dreadnaught Michael Watts Signature model):
Kostal Guitars' MDW is the result of a collaboration with fingerstyle musician Michael Watts. It was an amazing project in which both parties described what they wanted a guitar to do, and what they needed it to do, and then set out to create the guitar to meet those high expectations. The body is similar to a scaled-down version of Kostal's MD model, adding to its comfort and playability with total dimensions that make it slightly smaller than the OM. The 12 fret body joint adds a level of beauty, warmth and sustain not experienced in other guitars, and the overall size and look is elegant in every way. This guitar was originally intended to be a one-off and was named the "MD-W" for Modified Dreadnought – Watts, but Jason Kostal soon realized that MDW were Michael's actual initials, so the hyphen was removed, and Kostal Guitars' first signature model was created. The MDW has since become Kostal's most popular model, and with every new MDW he makes, he is reminded of just how extraordinary this instrument is.

Jason Kostal is one of the finest builders of acoustic guitars in this golden age of lutherie. Jason was a premier apprentice in the legendary Ervin Somogyi's shop before deciding to venture out independently. What sets Jason's guitars apart is the fact he has been a player and collector for years. Those two experiences molded his opinions of what a guitar is and what it could become. Every "brush stroke" on his guitars is there for a well-thought-out reason.

This particular MDW is a stunning example of Jason's commitment to excellence and is an instrument that certainly would satisfy the yearning of both a player and a collector. From the richly figured old-growth cocobolo back and sides to the exquisite German spruce top, all the woods were chosen from Jason's best-of-the-best tone wood stash. Everything has meaning here in this 12-fret wonder. The wedge body design makes this guitar an ergonomic pleasure to play for hours on end. The neck profile is extremely comfortable and fits my hand like a glove. The sound is glorious, and no wonder! It is rich, robust, and articulate with transparent highs, singing mids, and the toneful bass Kostal guitars are known for. The dynamic range of this beauty is awe-inspiring; it's a finger stylist's dream.

And what a pleasure I get from just staring at it. The artistry is superb at the highest level, from the rosette to the curvature of the bridge to how the headstock line matches the curve of the cutaway; every detail is what it should be. This MDW isn't a collection of random artistic endeavors but simply a complete thought, a complete thought from the mind and hands of one of the most sought-after builders today, Jason Kostal, as well as the brilliant guitarist Michael Watts.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT KOSTAL GUITARS
Jason Kostal's guitars are definitely different than most of the ones that you see out there every day in a lot of ways. One of the things that sets him apart from many of his peers is the fact that he has been a player and a collector for years and these two experiences greatly mold his opinions and expectations of what a guitar is and what it can become. Every single thing that Jason does is a result of very sincere and concerted thought about each individual aspect of the guitar and what it does or what it should do. Jason received his first guitar for his 5th birthday and was hooked from then on. Initially a Roberto-Venn School of lutherie graduate, then Roberto-Venn instructor with his own shop, then an advanced apprentice to Ervin Somogyi in San Fransisco, Jason's trajectory of discovery led him to the very depths of guitars making, allowing him to approach guitar building in a manner far different from what most other luthiers bring to the craft. Jason believes in elegance through simplicity, where every aspect of an instrument has been thought through and crafted to the most minute detail. Every guitar Jason builds is a one of a kind journey that he embarks on with each individual customer, a journey to the heart of instrumental elegance through simplicity.