This 2003 Schoenberg ES-Soloist comes from Bruce Sexauer, replete with Honduran Rosewood (dalbergia tucurensis, according to Bruce) back and sides, an Italian Alpine Spruce top, and Snakewood bindings for style. This Honduran Rosewood is beautifully straight-grained and quartersawn, and pairs well with the aged amber tint of the Alpine Spruce top. Together with Bruce’s lutherie chops, these coalesce into a well-oiled fingerstyle machine. Notes have excellent definition and color, with the treble strings having a particularly full and present timbre, and work well with a balanced bass and mid range response for an even-keeled playing experience.
Hefting this Soloist, you’ll be surprised to find such a featherweight instrument in your hands. This beautiful OM weighs only 3.5lbs. Waverly butterbean tuners help keep the weight down, but it’s really Bruce’s voicing and build style that make this Soloist so agile. The Italian Alpine Spruce top responds so well for both aggressive and lighter attacks, we found it difficult to find a style of fingerpicking that didn’t gel with it at the drop of a hat.
Long story short, this Schoenberg is fabulous. It feels easy, plays effortlessly, and has an immense tonal palette for the player to pick and choose from. The kind of guitar you simply don’t get tired of.
Other keywords: eric schoenberg, es-soloist, orchestra model, finger style, finger picking, 25.4, tkl
This is a featherweight guitar that is also a powerhouse. Like a 1920s Martin, the notes fire right off the top. The snappy bass and sublime mid range are all there. You can keep your $50,000 in the bank and play this one right beside any of those old guitars. It’s a gem. | Scale Length | 25.4 in |
|---|---|
| Nut Width | 1.78 in |
| String Spacing | 2.375 in |
| Woods | Spruce - Italian, Rosewood - Honduran |
This 2003 Schoenberg ES-Soloist comes from Bruce Sexauer, replete with Honduran Rosewood (dalbergia tucurensis, according to Bruce) back and sides, an Italian Alpine Spruce top, and Snakewood bindings for style. This Honduran Rosewood is beautifully straight-grained and quartersawn, and pairs well with the aged amber tint of the Alpine Spruce top
This is a featherweight guitar that is also a powerhouse. Like a 1920s Martin, the notes fire right off the top 