Acoustic Guitar Magazine Review of a Lichty Guitar
When a guitar builder begins his craft, there might be the glimmer of hope that one day they may rate a mention in Acoustic Guitar magazine. As the PR gal at Lichty Guitars I admit that I have considered a review of one of Jay’s guitars in this top publication a bucket-list kind of happening. Well, we are in celebration mode today! We have just seen the Dec. 2015 issue and one of Jay’s guitars received a thoroughly glowing review, including a video demonstration, and even a mention on the cover!
Excerpt from Acoustic Guitar magazine review of a Lichty Guitar …
“With more guitar makers making fine instruments than ever before, it can be a daunting task to select a handmade instrument or to choose a luthier to build one. But if the Small Jumbo is any indication, Jay Lichty—with the skill and artistry he devotes to guitar making, and the consideration he puts into the details—is a worthy contender for building your dream steel-string.”
Acoustic Guitar Magazine Review of a Lichty Small Jumbo Guitar …
“The foothills and mountains of North Carolina hold an important place in the acoustic-guitar world. This westernmost region of the Tar Heel State is where Doc Watson, among other wizardly bluegrass and country pickers, was born and where he lived until his death in 2012. For the past decade, it’s where the boutique shop Dream Guitars has offered the finest luthier-built and vintage acoustics.
Lichty started his professional life as a homebuilder. After the housing bubble burst a few years ago, he got deep into guitar making by studying with Wayne Henderson, the Virginia craftsman and instrumentalist who’s made guitars for Watson and Eric Clapton. A full-time luthier since 2009, Lichty has built about 200 ukuleles and guitars, no two alike, including the stunning Small Jumbo, made of Sitka spruce and Madagascar rosewood.
While some guitars take a while to reveal their charms, the Small Jumbo is immediately likeable. Its C-shaped neck is of medium girth and super comfortable in all regions of its 22-fret fingerboard—it’s got a perfect low action that makes it easy to play barre chords and speedy single-note lines alike for hours.
The Small Jumbo is deeply resonant and has a warm, commanding voice. Its projection and sustain are impressive, as is the balance between the registers. The bass is firm and present, but doesn’t overwhelm, as can often be the case on an instrument of this size; the treble is clear and robust; the mids, with a satisfying bark, stand up well to their neighboring frequencies.
Jumbo guitars are typically associated with strumming approaches, and the Lichty fares well in this context. Whether played in standard or open tuning, the guitar sounds clear and expansive. It’s easy to hear the individual notes of chords of any quality. Thanks to its generous headroom, the guitar sounds just as good strummed gently or forcefully.
With a 1.75-inch nut and 2.25-inch string spacing at the saddle, fingerpicking feels comfortable on the Small Jumbo, and it sounds terrific, too, for playing everything from country blues to Celtic music. What’s more, the guitar’s excellent tone holds up admirably when using slackened alternate tunings, and its Gotoh 510 tuners, with their smooth action, make it easy to access them…”
Adam Perlmutter transcribes, arranges, and engraves music for numerous publications. See his website at adamperlmutter.com
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Learn more about this lovely Madagascar Rosewood Small Jumbo Guitar.
Visit our media page to see more Lichty Guitars in the News including features in Fretboard Journal, WNC Magazine, Capital at Play and on CNBC.