Lakewood M-18

Lakewood M-18 made in Germany. Bought it new '08. Solidwood construction; AAA European spruce top, back & sides ovangkol with one piece mahogany -neck. 20 frets, body-neck-joint at 14th fret. Schaller M6 chrome tuners with rosewood buttons. I like the neck size, it's bigger than most guitars have. Perfect for my long fingers!

Beautiful satin gloss (natural finish. I wanted my guitar without pickup-system and with that natural look so i give full 10 with features. Guitar came with case of course.

It sounds very clear and balanced. The body of the guitar is pretty small but you can hear the low tones well. I would describe that sound as "woodish". I play fingerstyle without any finger- or thumb pics. Guitar plays still pretty loud which is just perfect for me. You can hear every tone well and every note just keeps ringing, so the sustain is very good.

Dynamics are great. I also play guitar by strumming with fingers and man I like that tone! For a plectrum user i wouldn't recommend this guitar first place cause it might get too loud? But this is meant to play with fingers! Nothing to complain again!

Guitar set up with action & intonation was perfectly setted. No dead notes or fretbuzzing. There were a little finishing flaw on the top but it is so small you won't notice that. Frets were a little bit sharp from the bottom side(I don't know if that term is correct:) but you know, you can feel it when you slide your fingertips on the side of the neck. When playing normally, you wont notice that either.

This might be due to winter weather(dryness) and the wood might live a bit. When playing normally, you wont notice that either so this is really a small flaw!. I use a damper to keep the humidity -level correct. Otherwise, the guitar finish is perfect. I'm very impressed about that binding job and neck joint. Can't believe that somebody can do this with his bare hands. Btw, the rosewood buttons look nice!!

I play this guitar mostly at home and I use it also with recording with a condenser mic. For live use you might have to buy a mic to the soundhole or something like that.. I've had this guitar about 4 weeks so it's hard to say how will it last. I'd bet my money that this guitar will only get better year by year!

They send you a set of elixir strings when you send them a photo of you and your lakewood! Warranty; materials and craftmanship for ten years from the date of purchase. They also reply fast for questions by email.

I've been playing guitar over 10 years. I have owned Yamaha and Ibanez acoustic guitars, they were good too but this one is from the different planet. But the price is also from there. If stolen or lost, I'd definetly replace it with a new one!

Talking about a Cutaway Model with the Sonic System, Sitka spruce at top and Ovangkol on back and sides. It had just, what it needs, but no extra's like neck-bindings or so...

One day very good and clear, the next day just to throw away: muddy and without brillance. I don't know why. The Sonic System yet is overpraised. Not bad at all, but not amazing. With a fair amount of background noise...

The action was to high for my taste. The 5th Fret had a cut, so that bindings on the E and B Strings produce bad sounds. The Frets at all were not well rounded...

I think it will last...

I had a mail-contact about some problems with the M-18CP and that was more than useless. Quick answer, but not helpful and not very friendly...

Lakewood guitars are not bad a all, but pricey. Maybe I had an "monday model", but because of my not so well experiences, I will not buy a Lakewood again. Look ingforward for a Larrivee os something like it. They are the better deal...

I own an early 1994/95 Grand Concert model. It is the (sharp/Florentine) cutaway version with AER electrics onboard. It has the solid spruce top and ovangol back and sides with(I think)maple binding.The tuners are Schaller.Everything is stock including the Hiscox case.It is strung with 012" - 054"inch bronze strings.

This particular guitar, I was told, was used as a 'test & try' piece and it travelled widely around UK recording studios gaining orders for the company in Germany.I had already owned an M18 but required a cutaway electric for stage work (acoustic blues band).

Apart from having to replace the saddle pickup (provided free of charge as the original had been badly fitted by the then distributors), there were no problems with the instrument, although Martin Seeliger (the maker) had supposedly deemed it second grade because of a slight discrepancy in the fitting of the string nut. I have been repairing guitars since 1980 and I still cannot find the fault!

It is a stark and almost plain instrument to behold but beautifully constructed. Its lines are sharp and clear with no unnecessary embelishment. A model of practical design over design indulgence.

Due to the correctly adjusted action the instrument has always played straight out of its case. Even in extremes of temperature. So there has never been any string buzz or slap and the intonation is precise.

Sounds? When I first received it there was no identifiable voice to the guitar. It was not bland but it was not exciting either, more plain clinical and workmanlike! The string balance was and is very, very good.

The AER electrics I have had no need to touch. They have never fed back on stage and the sound is, to me, very natural. Nice one.

Quite surpringly, after a couple of years of serious use I was involved in a band rehearsal when both myself and the other guitarist just stopped playing. Why? My guitar seemed to have changed the tone it was producing. It was sweeter and more mellow without losing its cutting edge. It had suddenly got its own voice and that voice was richer, fuller more attractive, seductive, inviting, stimulating and involving! I know some of you will think that I making this up but it truly took place just like I have explained in my music room one Saturday afternoon in the Autumn of 1997. I was there.

The only problem is that new buyers may want instant gratification from their instrument and not be able to wait for its voice to develop.

Do I like the sound? I love it!

It was, and remains, beautifully set up. Of all the guitars I have owned or repaired in my small workshop, this is the only one that has never needed any work doing to it in nearly ten years (except for replacing the initially poorly UK fitted piezo pickup and replacing worn strings)!

The top/back are properly bookmatched. The neck is a three piece affair. Very durable but I should like to try one slightly smaller in overall depth. Fretwork is exceptional. I base my own repair shop standards on the Lakewood fretwork.

The inside as well as the exterior remains a fine example of skilled luthier craftsmanship. The finish is lightly applied and matt. It proves to be very durable, and remains...matt!

This guitar has stood me for approximately 300+ gigs in nine years and has always performed brilliantly. I have taken other acoustic guitars with me, as back up, but have never used them. Unless you saw this instrument you will not believe me when I report that no part of it looks or feels worn.

Everything works as it should, everytime.

I was told customer support is very good but I have never needed to use it.

I have been playing, some kind of guitar or other, for exactly 40 years. I have been repairing guitars, by personal recommendation, for 24 years and I am still learning new skills/tricks. I have, and do, own numerous guitars both electric and acoutic. I am thinning out the collection. How many do you need?

There is no guitar which fulfills all of your needs for ever and a day. No such instrument exists. There are instruments which inspire and encourage players. The Lakewood takes the middle road. It is a beautifully crafted instrument and mine now has its own distinct voice and I am very attached to it but for many buying new, they may still find the voice a little clinical.

If you want exceptional workmanship and a truly reliable and totally professional workhorse but are prepared to wait for the instruments' voice to develop, get a Lakewood. You will not be disappointed.

Made by Martin Seeliger in Germany. Custom wide "Ragtime" neck. Fitted with Pickup The World #27 by owner. Superb Sitka spruce top and solid Ovangkol back and sides.

Superb sound. The best I have personally found for my style out of dozens of guitars. Predominantly fingerpicking in open tuning and contemporary acoustic material. Predominantly used live. Excellent natural sound amplified with PUTW #27.

Everything was well set up by I lowered the action a tad myself. Excellent matt finish and no constructional flaws.

Excellent stability. Used live on a regular basis. Solid construction but light. I do not use a backup and indeed sold my "Japanese" Lowden as superfluous.

Never needed to contact them but they have an excellent website with advice and a very good warranty scheme and registration of your particular guitar via their website.

I have been playing guitar for 40 years and have owned a Guild D25, Manson Kingfisher, Gibson J45 and "Japanese" Lowden and other guitars. This is the best guitar I have owned and it suits my needs perfectly. It has an excellent balanced tone, good projection, first class woods and construction and a custom wide neck which is perfect for my style of playing. If lost I would replace it with a similar Lakewood.

Cutaway & Lakewood Pickup

The best acoustic sound I've ever heard !!! Test it ... you'll love it

Best!
The cutaway looks very good!

Live & Studio

Never needed ...

Try a lakewood before you buy any other guitar. It's not cheap - but it's the best. It comes in a beautiful case. I'd buy it again ...