Lakewood D-32

2002. Bought new. German. Guitar was a NAMM display model. Guitars in this class (low end of the high end guitar market) are remarkably similar in wood (spruce top/rosewood back and sides), quality tunners, and design. The D-32 has a very clean look which I like for its elegance, but not may be everyone's cup of tea. The gloss finish on this one is wonderful.

I mostly finger pick, but like a little boom on the bass notes, hence my preference for a dreadnaught body. This has, for a dreadnaught, a very evenly modulated tone, a kind of a "dreadnaught light" in terms of the lower end. After many years of playing a Martin D-18 and getting knocked over by the lower end, I just smile when I play this delicate, sweet sounding D-32.

Slight roughness on a 0.5 cm section of the binding, but otherwise this instrument was in perfect shape. Set up was just right for my style. This is one well made instrument.

I'm still deciding about whether to put a pick-up on this for gigs or leave it for home/studio work only. It seems like a very sturdy guitar, but I'm inclined to not let it get dinged up. My own view is that high end guitars like this are kind of silly to bring out for gigs since the subtlety of the sound is lost on a pickup or a standard gig mic. You're better off just bringing out a cheaper, servicable guitar, and not crying when it gets dropped or gets banged against a mic stand.

The owner (yes, the owner!) of Lakewood Guitars, is amazingly helpful via email. He seems to be an email junky and will answer, politely, the most dumb (in retrospect) of questions.

I've been playing for over 30 years. I own a Martin D-18 and a Tacoma parlor (principally for air travel). This is an immensely sweet playing guitar with great action. The differences between it and other $1700 to $2500 dreads (Martin, Taylor, etc.) is subtle. The design is to my mind more elegant. The sound is very sweet and delicate. Lakewood does not seem to have the cache of other high-end guitars, but that, to my mind, is just due to the vagaries of fashion not because of any substantive differences. The D-32 is, however, a bargain (at least it was until the dollar dropped like a rock recently). It will not likely have the resale value of those with cache. But to get the equivalent in a big name brand you'd have to pay on the order of $2200, and you still might prefer the sound and look of the D-32 in addition to the money savings (I know I do). If you're looking for a guitar to last a lifetime with even, sweet tone and great action, this one will more than meet your needs.

Made 1992 (according to the serial number)In Germany with Lakewood hard case
I had a Fishman Matrix 1 Natural Active pickup installed later

I bought it for Open tunings OPEN D, DADGAD, OPEN G
Warm, wonderful, mellow, Played through my Yamaha 01V mixer with Flat sound - takes your breath away
Played through my Trace Elliot Acoustic amp - warm , mellow,

Bought the guitar second hand - Action was perfect
Had the pickup installed later by Karsten Gorbig - Guitar Gallerie in Bremen - (who I recommend)

Even though the guitar is 10 years old it appears to be new. No scratches, dents etc. May still need some playing in to get the full sound out if it. It is my second guitar.

Had some e.mail correspondence with Lakewood - Martin Seeliger (Owner) answered by return. Offered any assistance needed if required.

Been playing 30+ years - Own a Martin HD28 Built in 1981, (see my review in Martin HD28) and Johnson JM1 Tricone
If it were stolen I'd buy another Lakewood without question
Love its sound, the feel, the look. everything
After the Martin it was difficult to look for another guitar - This Lakewood I cant stop playing. I knew they were good after hearing Chris Jones and Ulli Bogerhausen. I love the sound Chris gets, now I know why

The Lakewood D32 was a dream come true for me.. finally a guitar with great workmanship and materiels used, and yet for a low price.
Mine was a 99 Model D32 made in Germany, a 20 fret guitar with a solid engelmann spruce top and solid indian rosewood backs and sides..
the combined sound is that of a warm mellow fragrant sound... like a sweet flower...
It comes with a B-band piezo and condesor mic blend... a very good sound when it is combined and blended... a lack of an onboard EQ though handicaps the way you can use it on the fly..
other than that it's great.. there is no hole in your guitar caused by the EQ...
top class workmanship and inovation here.. although i'm rather small sized the fit of the guitar is great.. the D32 is a dreadnought but still fits like glove to any body sized...
it has a ebony bridge with Bone nut and saddle, and beautiful gold plated tuners..
comes with a moulded hard case, stereo cable

the sound is lovely.. the sound is like that of a flowers scent in the evening.. sweet yet fresh..
the sound is mellow and is still clear
a very rich sound and very full resonance...

The action was very well set up.. it was at a height just right so that it was easy to play yet produced no buzzing what so ever...
the spruce top matched the rest of the body beautifully... the grains of the wood even seemed seemless..

the guitar defintely will withstand anything.. i mean i play in front of people about once a week. this huitar will definetly be a good buy if you like to perform live.
If i was in a gig... i wouldn't have any urge or intention of bringing along a spare guitar..
this guitar is great
Hey if dave matthews can use this guitar live why cant anyone else?

Customer service was very prompt and efficient and although the luthier is a german guy and resides in germany, he speaks fluent english and will answer your questions usually within a day

I've not been playing long...
but i think i pretty much know what it takes to grade a guitar a good guitar. and this is definetely a GREAT guitar..
if there was something i wish i had asked before i bought it would have been, why dosent anyone i know use a lakewood?
if it were stolen, i would order another Lakewood, but this time i would get the 54 series
i've compared the guitar to other guitars from makers such as guild, taylor and all i can say is, for the price you pay, you are getting a guitar worth twice the value...
i only wish it came with an onboard EQ but located in and area that oes not require cutting a hole in the guitar.