One of the most well-known names in modern lutherie, Ervin Somogyi. We’ve been lucky to work with his guitars for a number of years, and today we’ve landed a unique piece of Somogyi history: his first 12-String, built in 1977. Originally owned by none other than Alex DeGrassi, this Ervin’s first has Indian Rosewood back and sides and Spruce on top, 12 frets to the body, and a Classical-style mosaic rosette. The body dimensions are slim for a 12-string (14 5/8” across the lower bout), granting a warmth and punchy flavor to the voice. While it doesn’t have the signature bass response that Ervin’s guitars are now known for, this 12-String has a balance and intimacy to it that really lends itself to recording. The setup is slick and easy, the nut coming in at 1 7/8” and the saddle string spacing at 2 5/16”. It’s a fantastic 12-String by itself, and it has the added provenance of being Ervin’s first.
Other keywords: somogyi guitar, lutherie, luthier, the responsive guitar, fingerpicking, 12 string, oakland, gotoh