Tâm Hiêm - - Classical guitar - Vietnam - 2003

Handcrafted concert classical guitar built in 2003 in the prestigious workshop of Tâm Hiệp, located on the emblematic “luthiers’ street” (District 3) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Under the technical direction of master Nguyễn Văn Minh, this instrument is an example of exquisite Asian craftsmanship that combines high-quality woods with unmatched manual inlay work.

Materials and Construction of First Class:

Soundboard: Solid spruce. With 23 years of natural maturation, the top has acquired a beautiful honey tone and an harmonic richness that only time and use can impart.

Rims and Back: Impressive Lacewood (Bani/Leopardwood). This exotic wood not only offers a striking visual aesthetic with its leopard-like grain, but also provides a balanced tonal response, sitting between the warmth of mahogany and the projection of rosewood.

Fingerboard and Bridge: High-density rosewood, ensuring durability and a smooth feel.

Luthier Details:
Rosette and Bindings: Authentic hand-inlaid wood marquetry (no stickers), with complex geometric patterns.
Headstock: Carved artistic design with reinforced contrasting wood.
Back Strip: Decorative central reinforcement running along the entire body.

Condition and Sound:
Being a 2003 instrument, the wood is fully settled and stable. Its tone is open, with rounded lows and crystalline, well-defined highs. It’s a guitar with a lot of personality, ideal for someone seeking an exclusive instrument that stands out on stage as well as in a personal collection.

Year: 2003 (verified on the original holographic label).

Condition: Excellent conservation for its age, carefully maintained.