Otto D’Ambrosio Allegro Girasole, The Sunflower

This beauty is in excellent condition throughout with a few issues. There are fingernail indentations on the top where a pickguard would have been located. Also, there is some blonde finish rub out along the neck at the 12th fret treble side along the fingerboard.

As I've mentioned before, I am a fan Otto D'Ambrosio’s fine lutherie skills. He's talented and gifted. He learned from the best. As a young teen, he started his guitar building journey at Mandolin Bros, the legendary guitar shop in Staten Island. (What an incredible place to learn about fretted instruments!!) This was followed by apprenticeships with Flip Scipio (love Flip) and John Monteleone (love John), followed by time spent working at Guild's custom shop. His skills being honed to an elevated state, he eventually opened his own shop.

I'm a fan of 16" archtops, and have always gravitated to their ergonomiic quality along with the immediacy of their sound. Throughout my studio career, a 1932 Gibson L5 was my weapon of choice when an archtop music mission came my way. I’m pleased to see that many boutique builders have added smaller body archtop models to their lineup.

I'm a fan of this instrument, too. Otto used this guitar as a presentation piece at guitar shows. It is his personal instrument, and it shows off the full range of his lutherie chops from sonics to inlay and metal work. Its aesthetics are informed by his love of nature, and its name and colors inspired by the wild sunflowers he has encountered on Mount Baldy in California, where he lives. Check out the sunflower detail on the tailpiece.

It's crafted with stellar wood choices; beautiful maple back and sides and an exquisite Italian bear claw spruce top.

Beyond the craftsmanship, it is an exceptional instrument – one that I would have been fortunate to play back in my session years. The neck has a 1 7/8" nut width and a contemporary carve that is neither too thin nor too thick. It's just right. Sonically it is well balanced, full and woody with an enhanced mid range. It's versatile, and is suited for many types of acoustic music; not just jazz.

It's stunning, sonically inspiring, versatile and a joy to put in my hands.

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.