Lakewood M-32

Ive got this M-32 Customshop 14 fret, with Engelmann AAA Spruce Top, Indian Rosewood body, both glossy finish, Mahogany neck with 46mm, satin finish, D-flat profile, slotted head, ebony plated, Schaller old style gold tuners, all Bindings in Koa, round Cutaway, Koa/Abalone Rosette and Ebony Fretboard without Inlays. She was build special for me in August 2006 and came with Hiscox Case. I wanted a very natural guitar without a lot of glimmer, she is it!

I bought this guitar for mostly fingerstyle, but somtimes I strumm it too. She has a very clear and bright tone, balanced in any detail. She is still loud and has a lot of punch in lower tones too. With the Engelmann Top she can be played in all different styles. Perfect allrounder! I have some other guitars, but I still dont play them since my Lakewood came and she gets better day by day, so I will sell my other guitars and then let me build another Lakewood 12-string...
I think maybe in Koa...;-)

The guitar was build as I asked for, flat action, all perfect in this way. Finish is nearly perfect, only very small details let me give her the 9 and not 10.

She is lightweight and stiff, a guitar for the rest of my life, perfect.

I didnt have any problem with this guitar till now, should be all okay as I heard from other customers.

For me it is the perfect allround guitar. I always prefered Dreadnoughts, but since I have this Lakewood I would not change back because she is sooo balanced in anything. I ordered a BSG before I ordered her, but the BSG crashed before finished. I had to think about my order because I was not really happy with the dealer and the builder too.....I had a bit fears to change to Lakewood, but I thought with the Lakewood M-32 I couldnt make a mistake. Result: I would never change back.

2004 - Shorline Music model: AAA Englemann Top, Indian Rosewood back and Sides. Ebony tuning pegs.

Like advertised: loud for a smaller body guitar. A bit on the bright end, but that works for me.

OK. I had it set up when it came to me as the action was a bit high. Frets are a little rough on the top of the neck - bottom of frets are flush it is just the top that rise a little above. Also, a tiny glue runoff is visible where fret board meets the top of the body. It is very little but it bugs me as the rest of the guitar is beautiful. Rosewood shines and the ebony tuning pegs really look nice.

Finish seems durable, but I baby it.

I bought from Shoreline Music online who were very helpful. Haven't needed to get in touch with Lakewood directly.

For the money I am not sure if there is a better smaller-bodied guitar available. It really has a nice sound and a good look.

I custom ordered mine about two and a half months ago and it only arrived yesterday, so I'm giving a very quick review.

Like I said, as far as features go, mine is custom. So here are the features on my particular M32:
- AAA Sitka top
- Very straight and chocolatey EI Rosewood back/sides
- Rosewood binding w/ Maple purfling
- A Padauk (a reddish wood) rosette w/ no abolone
- Ebony bridge/fretboard
- Ebony tuning pegs
- "Lakewood" logo inlaid with Yew wood (a yellowish wood), not MOP
- Florentine (sharp) cutaway
- Glossy finish
- No fretboard inlay (standard, but I love it)

Everything else is standard (see website). I wanted all the inlays done with wood instead of abolone, and I think it is absolutely beautifully done. There is no abolone anywhere on the guitar. I didn't have a pickup installed yet, but I'll probably get a Fishman Rare Earth humbucker for it.

It sounds awesome. M32's normally come with Engleman tops but I ordered mine with sitka because I strum a lot and get fairly heavy-handed. It fingerpicks very well, but just lights up under a pick.

I agree with some of the other reviews in that these guitars are very balanced. It is very evident in mine. But don't let that make you think that there is no bass or something. The bass just jumps out of my M32. It's balanced because the highs just shimmer and the mids are just the right amount of meaty. It's all there, just not too much of one.

I've owned two other M32's (this new one is by far my favorite) and the thing that always amazes me about them is their volume. They're a smaller body (actually called a Grand Concert but very close to an Auditorium in size) but I think they could keep up with just about any dred.

I'd have to say that one reason I am so pleased with mine is that it has just the right amount of brightness but is still very warm.

The action is great. Mine also plays just as nice as a Taylor, maybe even better. (I've owned/played several Taylor's too.) Lakewood guitars are a bit of a step up from Taylor IMO without much of a price difference.

Fit and finish are immaculate. This is one of the nicest glossy finishes I have ever seen. It's nothing short of perfect.

I haven't used it live yet, but I think it'd be fine. I'm sure it will last. I always have a backup, but that's more of a string issue. I would not hesitate to use this for a solo or small, intimate group setting. A long summer tour with a band on the other hand might be different. But that's nothing against the guitar - I wouldn't want anything to happen to it. Yes, I'd say it's fragile. But that's not that it's not solidly built, it's just a combination of that fact that it is a light, wooden instrument and I'm careful.

I've dealt/talked with the owner/head luthier of the company. You can do that sonce they're still a very small company, which is cool. They are in Germany, though, and distance and language barriers may sometimes be a slight issue. Not all of my emails were answered in a timely manner, but there are a few factors that could have caused that. I'd give this category a 7 because when you do communicate with them, they're not greatly helpful. Sure they answer questions, but with one or two lines - I didn't get very in-depth answers.

Mine was a little more expensive with the custom options, but still a great value. Other makers make guitars like this for $1000 or $2000 more. I think you get a standard M32 for around $1700 or $1800, which is a great, great value.

This is a customized grand concert M-32 cutaway from the German guitar makers at Lakewood. The great thing about Lakewood is that it is very cheap to customize a guitar. This was made to my specs, with a AAA englemenn spruce top, Indian Rosewood sides, Ivoroid fingerboard and headstock body (keeps the price down), and tortoishell body binding, which looks great. I wanted to top to really stand out from the side, and it does. The rosette on these guitars is gorgeous. It's got a BBand A2 pickup with a UST and microphone combination. Gold appointments with Shaller tuners.

I love the sound of this guitar. The best way to describe it would be balanced and rich. The englemenn spruce produces great overtones. No frequency range really stands out which I think is a good thing.

I play a mix of strumming (standard rock&pop) along with fingerstyle (simon & garfunkel, etc.). This guitar is small bodied and is probably more suited towards fingerstyle, but it does not lack in quality or volume when it is strummed. My dad owns a 1970s Martin D-28, and this does not have the bass of that, but that's physically impossible. However, the mids are often lost on the Martin, so the Lakewood shines in melodic passages. It's not horribly bright like a lot of Taylor's either. It has a distinct "ring" which many Lakewood owners attest to.

The guitar is absolutely breathtaking in an open tuning though. Put it in Open E or D and the overtones really come out. The sustain is great. There's nothing quite like strumming an open chord with a good bit of volume and just letting the sound decay.

Like I said before, Lakewood lets you customize anything on your guitar. They publish a price list and the cost for customization? $50 or so, and it was done in under 3 months. I got all the features I wanted and none I didn't need. I originally debated between Englemenn or European spruce, and went with the Englemenn because I had never played on European. The point is, though, spruce, cedar, koa, you name it, theyll make it for you.

I haven't tested the pickups much, but the UST (under saddle transducer-- basically like a piezo) does sound better than standard piezo pickups.

The action feels good to me. I've played both a bottom end Ovation and a Martin D-28, so I'm not really picky when it comes to the action. The action is not set particularly high or low, which is good for me since I play different styles.

The guitar is flawless cosmetically. The grain on the topwood and backs are very nice. Again, their standard rosettes are really something to see.

I can't really say how durable it will be. Seems it will last as long as any higher end acoustic guitar if you take care of it. It is a very well made instrument.

I have heard that they use a UV cured finish that is very tough. It's supposed to resist pick marks.

Customer support is unreal. While I was looking into buying an acoustic guitar, I corresponded directly with the founder of the company. He answered all of my questions promptly, and was willing to give me advice on my choice of woods, pickups, etc. It should be noted that he recommended Englemenn spruce as opposed to the European, even though the European is more expensive. They are a smaller company, and therefore seem to treat their customers more personally than giants like Martin or Taylor.

The standard warranty is 10 years. Details are on www.lakewood.de

I've been playing guitar for almost six years. I own a worthless Ovation, an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, and finally a Lakewood. I've also played my father's Martin D-28 extensively. I researched this purchase for half a year before I made a decision. Lakewood makes great guitars. If this was lost or stolen? After I got done crying I'd start working up another order immediately.

I would HIGHLY recommend anyone who is in the market for a higher end acoustic guitar to research Lakewood. I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either.

2002 Lakewood M32 Custom, 20 fret, AAA Sitka spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Rosewood binding, Abalone/wood/abalone rosette, Mahogany neck, body high-gloss finish, Ebony fingerboard and bridge, Schaller M6 gold-plated machine heads, rosewood peghead veneer, included custom Hiscox lifeflight case with crushed red velvet interior.

The sound of this guitar is simply amazing. I was blown away at the brightness and volume of the voice. Not to worry, tons of sound at the lower end as well. It has exceeded my expectations in all areas.

Action was set up perfectly.

Fit and finish on this guitar are extraordinary, the previous comment about German craftsmanship stands true with me. The top is beautifully matched and flawless. The back and sides are equally stunning with a classy strip of rosewood at the back joint.

It sertainly shows that much care was taken during the construction of this guitar. No blemishes in the finish or glue drips or stains anywhere. Perfect!

Only had it a short time, but seems very durable and solid.

Lakewood is amazing. I had a few questions about the guitar before buying it and Martin Seeliger sent me an e-mail back in under thirty minutes!

I have no reservations about Lakewood resolving any issues that might arise in a very quick and satisfactory manner.

I am amazed with this guitar and cant keep my hands off of it.

Should it be lost or stolen I would definitely replace it with an identical model without any hesitation whatever. This is a definite keeper.

2002 Lakewood M32 Custom, 20 fret (joins body at 14th), AAA Sitka spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Rosewood binding, Abalone/wood/abalone rosette with "magic symbols", Mahogany neck (satin finish), body high-gloss finish (UV acrylic, very light but still strong), Ebony fingerboard and bridge, Schaller M6 gold-plated machine heads, rosewood peghead veneer, B-Band A2 + AST (uninstalled as of now, will install later in 2003 when I get an Ultrasound amp).

This guitar was made according to my specs, so how could I not give it the highest rating? Martin Seeliger & Co. did a fantastic job of putting her together. I brought it to three local luthiers and all were very impressed with not only the craftsmanship, but the setup as well!

There truly is such a thing as that "Lakewood Ring" that people so often describe. This guitar has rich overtones that color each note, but not overyly so - you can still hear the pure tones beneath it. This guitar is "punchy" as one reviewer described, without being too bright (like the Taylor 614CE my friend has). I don't think the Lakewood places too much emphasis on any one aspect of the note spectrum (highs, mids, lows) - it reproduces the entire range without strain. I hear testimony that hard strumming may cause some Lakewoods to "break up" but rest assured that is not the case with my M32 (and this may be due to the Sitka top). I play folk/rock stuff (Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips, Dave Matthews, etc.) and have yet to break up the M32. This guitar can get as loud as you want, thanks to the large soundhole, but is surprisingly responsive to light fingerpicking as well. The dynamic range of this instrument is unmatched in any acoustic I've played - I play it whisper-quiet and still the notes ring clear and true, I rock out and get fantastic results! In the two months I've had this guitar, I've gone back to the local guitar shops, into the high-rent rooms, and played everything from Goodalls, to Taylors, to Lowdens, to Larrivees and Martins. While all have their strengths, there is not one guitar that has made me regret my purchase. You can have all the "quality components" (i.e. European bearclaw top, brazilian rosewood, etc.) and if the guitar doesn't move you with its sound, then what was the point? I've learned the guitar is more than its parts, it is the sum of everything: parts, craftsmanship, etc. The sound is what matters most, and to me, this Lakewood makes the guitar sounds I hear in my dreams when I envision playing music.

The action was very low coming out of the factory. I brought this up with Martin S. and John from Shoreline, and they said it was because they usually get orders from fingerpick style players so the guitar is slung low. This caused a bit of buzzing in the first couple of frets when strummed hard. A quarter turn of the truss rod and it was all gone! Yet the action was still very low (2.5mm at the 12th fret for the low E) and the playability is unmatched. This guitar actually begs to be played and doesn't fatigue my fingers in the way that my old Martin 000-16GTE used to (and that was after being professionally set up by a luthier!). I brought the M32 to several local luthiers and not a one recommended making a change on it. The bridge pins were already seated, the bone nut and saddle were properly shaped, the action was low, the neck was straight and the sound fantastic. This was directly the opposite of the Martin 000, that had to have a ton of things done to it to sound as good as it did in the end (and even that was nowhere near the Lakewood). The three luthiers were all impressed with the craftsmanship. I myself am no expert so I'll defer to the fact that all three signed off on the M32 with high marks. I asked them to be critical as I had 10 days to return it for any reason, and they all said I'd be crazy to return such a fine instrument, especially at the price I paid! One luthier said the words "typical fantastic German craftsmanship" - for what that is worth!

I've brought the M32 on the road with me for several jam sessions and it has performed like a champion! The finish is light but hard and seems durable, cleans easy! It hasn't let me down yet in over 100 hours of playing. I won't give it a rating just yet as I believe this sort of thing should be evaluated after a year or more of playing, but let's just say it seems every bit as solid as the Martin I used to own and the Taylor 614CE that my jam mate plays with (he in fact so loves the sound and is now going to buy a Lakewood of his own).

Martin Seeliger emailed me and let me know the status of the guitar as it was being built, as well as John from Shoreline. There was a delay in building, but I can honestly say that it was worth the wait! Martin put a beautiful piece of Sitka on top (I think as an apology for the delay) and this guitar sounds actually a bit better than my friends' M46 that just arrived (and that has a European spruce top which is lighter) - hope he doesn't read this! Afterwards I've had basic questions for both people and got responses within 24 hours. Lakewood is a fantastic company and I hope they are around for many years to come! Shoreline Acoustic Music (www.samusic.com) is a class dealer who takes pride in customer satisfaction!

I was hesitant in spending nearly $2K for a guitar. The Martin I owned and returned cost me $950 and I doubted I would get a guitar that would justify costing twice as much. I bought it anyway because my favorite artists used it, and it was unique, and word of mouth was good. Also I had gone around the local guitar shops and played a lot of "high rent" guitars and couldn't get myself to settle for another sub-$1000 guitar. Little did I know what a bargain the Lakewood would turn out to be! Despite playing $4000 Goodalls, $2800 Taylors, $3500 Larrivees, there is not one that I would trade in the Lakewood for, even if they offered one-for-one trade in (no extra $$$)! My friend's M46 convinces me that Martin Seeliger & Co. are on to something at their Geissen, Germany shop. I would recommend this guitar to anyone who plays folk/rock style of guitar. My friend bought the M46 on my recommendation and loves his purchase as well.

Made in 2000 in Giessen, Germany and overseen by master luthier Martin Seeliger. This Grand Auditorium sized guitar features a AAA Engelman Solid Spruce top and solid Indian Rosewood back and sides. Mine was a "custom" job which upped the satin finish to a high gloss, the nickel hardware to Schaller 18K Gold plated, and the electronics to a B-Band proprietary electret transducer pickup system. It features a single Florentine cutaway (which is fitting seeing as how I bought it in Florence, Italy while studying over there.) Fretboard and bridge are pure dark ebony wood, while the neck is rosewood. It included a Hiscox Liteflite Hardshell Case and Paperwork.

I began playing aggressive acoustic guitar (ala Dave Matthews) and originally was inspired to look into this guitar because he played one. Infact, you can hear this guitar on his CD Live @ Luther College. When strummed too aggressively this guitar can breakup a tiny bit, due to its nature. However, I now use this for my fingerstyle jazz guitar work and it is an absolute dream. I can not specify in words how crystalline this guitar sounds. Full fretboard access is allotted due to the generous cutaway and its harmonics are to die for.

I had a professional setup done at the shop I purchased the guitar before taking it home, for I had played it enough there at the shop so I knew what changed I wanted. I had the action lower VERY LITTLE and had the saddle trimmed because most of what I play is up the neck where low action is a God send. The intonation is flawless and it stays in tune impeccably.

I would absolutely continue to play this guitar live, as I have been for a year now. However, I treat my guitars on the road as well as I do at home. The Schaller tuners are bulletproof, and the pick guard is very durable. I've had no problems using this at gigs without a back up guitar and have faith in my Lakewood to last me a lifetime.

Martin Seeliger is an amazing individual who address every concern personally. How many times do you get to speak on the phone with the master luthier personally?! Try that at Gibson! It has a ten year warranty that is rock solid, this I know because of a neck refitting I had to have done due to severe humidity.

I've now been playing for 7 years and guitar is the passion in my life. Without it I would not be who I am. If this guitar were lost or stolen I would replace it as soon as possible but regret it forever. I love everything about it, the only dislike I have is having to communicate to Germany if something goes wrong before I can get a repair authorization.

2002 M-32 Custom made in Germany. AAA Englemann Spruce top and solid Indian Rosewood back and sides. Mahogany neck, Ebony fingerboard and bridge. B-Band AST pickup. High gloss finish on body, Satin finish on the neck. Ebony tuners. "Magic Symbol" rosette.

This guitar is quite loud. It has a unique, punchy ring. The Lakewood's tone is much more present and direct than any other guitar that I have played. It has a bright punch that leaps from its larger soundhole. But the guitar is not merely bright--it also has plenty of low end to fill out the sound.

The neck on the M-32 is slightly deeper than the typical North American slimline profile (which is about 3/4" deep at the nut). It maintains this profile up the length of the neck, so it's nicely playable. I play fingerstyle guitar and don't have very large hands, and I am able to do everything I could imagine on this neck. The action is very low and easy to handle.

Lakewoods have not been around for very long so I can't say how they will last. However, the craftsmanship is second to none and I expect this guitar to last a lifetime.

Excellent! I had a lot of contact with the builder, Martin Seeliger. I emailed him several times and he always responded promptly and gave me a lot of personal attention.

It's of course stunning to look at when you first take it out of its case. And it has this fantastic, punchy ring that's unlike any guitar I have ever heard or played. The tone of this guitar rings in my ears even after I put it down, and I find myself drawn back to it again and again. I can certainly see why so many pros play these guitars. If you're looking for something with a little more character and volume than a standard OM, I highly recommend this little gem from Lakewood.

My M32 is a 2002. Normally I wouldn't review an instrument that I have had such a short time, but it is in essence my dream guitar.
At this point it is a unique one of guitar, that Martin Seeliger at Lakewood, generously agreed to make for me. It is based on the grand concert style M body with cutaway, East Indian Rosewood back and sides, a beautiful AAA German spruce top, ewe wood binding, ewe wood and abalone rosette. The neck is a one piece Mahogany 12 fret slotted
headstock style, 1 13/16" nut width and gold Shaller tuning machines. This neck configuration had not previosly been offered as an option on this model. The guitar comes with a Hiscox liteflight hard shell case.

I have yet to play a Lakewood guitar that wasn't an exceptionally good sounding Instrument( I would never have considered buying a relatively expensive guitar sight unseen, and more importantly unheard,if that were not the case). What constitutes great sound in an acoustic guitar is a very personal thing. My M32 is somewhat bright overall, but with no hint of harshness. Notes are full and rich, with a strong fundimental and just enough harmonic content to
make it interesting, but not so much that the sound get muddy. the treble strings are lush and full, but the overall brightness makes them cut. The bass strings have a piano like quality, crisp and clear. Definately no mud here either. Balance across the neck is exellent. For me this is the ultimate acoustic guitar sound.

What can I say, German precision. It is hard to find anything on any Lakewood that isn't perfect. The action comes in a little stiff ( I like it that way ), but the necks are set right and there is plenty of room on the saddle to make adjustments. Speaking of the saddle.
Lakewood does a cool thing with the saddle slot. It is cut at a slight angle toward the bridge pins. This increases down pressure from the strings. More pressure, better vibration transfer to the top,
and better function of under saddle type pickups.

Like I said ,I have only had this guitar a couple of weeks, but I have had a Lakewood M14 for a couple of years and I do gig with it.
While it is not my main axe( I mostly play electric blues ) when I do play it I play it in bars. After two years it still looks pretty much
new. I have no reason to believe that the M32 will be any different.
Also in two years the M14 has never needed any adjustment. That is truly amazing for any guitar comming to the dry southwest. I would take my Lakewood anywhere any time. The only reason that I would take a spare is in case of a broken string, so my audience doesn't have to wait for me.

Martin is great! He is the easiest guy in the world to work with.
Order to delivery on my guitar was just over two months(including
Christmas vacation and week shop closure for a flu epidemic. That is service. Send a Gibson back to the factory to have the bridge reglued
and they will keep it for six months to do a two hour job. Warranty is ten years.

I have been playing for fourty years,about twenty five of that semi-professionally or professionally. I have long since passed the point where I would play with crappy equipment. I spend way too much money on guitars and amps, but i have gotten to the point where I want the best that I can get. I get enough crap from idiot bar owners and drunks who want to hear Free Bird. If my M32 was stolen I wouldn't
buy another one. I would hunt the bastard down beat him sensless and take my guitar back. It's that good a guitar.

I don't speck english so excuse my mistakes.
Great guitar. No plastic, all wood. Made in Giessen, Germany in 1999. The features are the same of the upper review. Looks essential and fine.

I play music of James Taylor, CSN & Y, Jony Mitchell, Beales and similar artists. This guitar is ideal for this kind of music. The sound is clear, loud, with the "atletic" bass of a vintage D28.

The action is a little hight but confortable. The guitar has a perfect intonation.

This guitar is not for hard live use. It's a private jewels.

I don't Know, but (usually) in German nothing is "casual"

I have been playing for 30 years. This is one of the nicest acoustic flat top I have never had. I have a lot of more expansive Martin, Larrivee, Taylor and Adamas guitars. This one has his personality and has an incredible quality for his price. A very good guitar.

The guitar was made in Giessen, Germany in 1998. The specs are:
Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, rosewood binding, one piece carved mahogany neck with rosewood veneer on headstock, ebony tuning pegs, fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle. The headstock has the "Lakewood" name inlaid in abalone. The rosette has mother of pearl and rosewood inlay. The guitar came with a Hiscox flight type case. The width of the neck at the nut is 44 mm.

I play lots of fingerstyle, Celtic, but also classic Rock and bluegrass. This is an extremely versatile instrument, very responsive with great string separation, yet very loud and resonant when strummed. This guitar shimmers. The spruce top has opened up but still has a ways to go. The East Indian rosewood gives depth to the sound. I really have no dislikes as far as the sound. This is by far one of the best sounding acoustics I have ever heard. Even my tone deaf wife thinks so.

I don't know where the action was set up, but it is great. No fret buzz and as easy to play as a Taylor. I tried to find flaws but just couldn't. The top and back are well matched, the binding is tight. The bone nut and saddle are beautifully cut. The finish is natural gloss, very shiny and beautiful.

I plan to use this guitar at home only, and certainly plan to take care of it, but the finish and other features seem to be built to last

I have heard of good Lakewood service, but have not needed to contact the company yet.

I have been playing for 22 years. This is certainly the nicest acoustic flat top I have ever owned. I tried out many different manufacturers when shopping for this instrument, including Martin, Taylor, Larivee, Lowden, Santa Cruz, Goodall, Collings. The Goodalls, and Lowdens were also great, but for the price, I went with this excellent instrument crafted in a small factory in Germany.
I am very happy with my choice.