Ayers D-45 G. Gilet Style (2003) - Natural

Ayers is a high quality boutique guitar manufacturer based in Taiwan with heavy concentration on Japanese and Australian markets. Their vintage series is designed and supervised by Australian master builder Gerard Gilet and offers the sound of Martin's coveted D-series models at a fraction of their astronomical market prices. They are made from all solid materials, the back in question is a very nice example of East Indian rosewood.

This Ayers D-45 style dreadnought has a booming projection (I mean l-o-u-d!) and is a fantastic player. Set up for easy playing action (2.4/1.6 mm) with custom hand-finished and polished bone nut and custom brass pins, all courtesy of yours truly. Travels fittingly in premium Maton case (another Ozzie legend) with golden lining and beautiful "Skittles" Souldier guitar strap fashioned from recycled car safety belts in Michigan. Case and strap are minty, guitar has 2 repaired cracks on top and some insignificant cosmetic defects.

The pair of koi circling the sound hole are not inlaid, but were very competently oil-painted on top by the previous owner. Tuning machines are real golden Grovers, just like on Martin's D-45.

This is a great bargain for the savvy aesthete who doesn't mind (or welcomes) a little battle scar on his/her instrument (all the good ones have them) and I honestly find this one to be more enjoyable than all of the standard line production from the large heritage guitar makers. Very cool guitar with a balanced sound and great, snappy response!

You know it's a good one when the serial number reads just AMA5.