Maestro guitars

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Maestro is a brand of the line of classical and acoustic guitars which are made in Singapore. It is currently the only Singapore guitar manufacturer.

1 Construction
2 Models
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Construction

Maestro Guitars primarily focuses on building quality handcrafted acoustic flattops and classical guitars. High quality tone woods used in production are sourced from reputable sources in Canada, Europe and Asia. Maestro uses the traditional Spanish methods for making classical guitars while adopting the bolt-on neck design for their acoustic steel string models.

Classical guitars are constructed using either the traditional fan-bracing or the legendary Greg Smallman bracing, coupled with the timeless Spanish heel. Both designs are incorporated into the different models. Their top model, the Torres, uses a 9-strut fan bracing to enhance the sound and projection of the guitar.

Acoustic steel string guitars are constructed using the scallop X-bracing method, to provide a strong top resilient to the higher tension from the steel strings. The bolt-on neck coupled with a double-action truss rod makes the acoustic guitar easier to service, repair and set up. Recently, two new features have been added. One of them are carbon-fibre rods which are placed alongside the truss rod at each side to reinforce the neck and deter it from warping. The other one is a brass toneplate which reinforces the area around the bridge as well as increasing the sustain and bass response.

Maestro guitars are 100% handcrafted and set up by professional technicians who are also players themselves, which is the reason for the superb playability.

[edit] Models

Maestro guitars are divided into two main groups, classical and folk, with each having three different series within its range.

The classical guitars are the Estudiante, Concert and Masterclass series and are constructed in the traditional Spanish style following the exact same measurements and standard size that are passed down from generations of Spanish traditional luthery.

The folk guitars are the Standard, Elite and Custom series. These guitars are available in three different industry-standardized body shapes, namely the Dreadnought, the Grand Auditorium and the Jumbo.

The Estudiante and Standard series are entry level models for the classical and folk guitars respectively. Like most other guitars at this price point, they are made out of laminated tonewoods with three plies of tonewood on each side.

The Concert and Elite series which are a level up, are solid-top models with the backs and sides having the same three-ply laminate construction as the Estudiante and Standard series. The Concert Series features two models specially made for flamenco players.

The Custom and The Luthier and Masterclass series are upper-market models. Almost all of these guitars are constructed with full-solid soundboards, there are still however, one or two models within this series that have sides made out of three-ply laminate. Unlike their Estudiante, Standard, Concert and Elite counterparts, these guitars do not receive generic model codenames (i.e. C-1, EA-3, etc...).

Apart from these, there is an additional Luthier series. This range of classical guitars are in every sense the cream of the crop as far as Maestro guitars go, handcrafted by the founder Hozen and his team of luthiers and with each individual authentic Luthier series guitar bearing his signature in the label found inside each guitar.

Maestro utilizes Grover machine heads and GraphTech TUSQ nuts and saddles (excluding the Estudiante and Standard series) in their construction to enhance the tuning stability and tone of the guitars. To get a very natural sounding amplified sound, B-Band transducers and preamps are used for the electro-acoustic retrofitted guitars. Also, a new Maestro guitar right out of the workshop comes fitted with D'Addario EXR strings.

Maestro also manufactures ukuleles of the 4 standard sizes, namely Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone.