Australian Mountain Ash & Western Red Cedar Acoustic Guitar

Open, Airy Voice

The Maker’s Choice V (No.5) guitar carries a different kind of energy. Where others lean into grit and drive, this instrument speaks with openness and air, delivering a voice that is immediate, fluid, and deeply musical across its entire range.

Rare Tonewood Pairing

Built around a rare and often underutilised Australian Mountain Ash set, the back and sides reveal striking fiddleback figuring and natural colour streaking that gives the instrument a sense of movement even when still. Paired with an old growth Western Red Cedar soundboard, the result is a voice that responds with ease and speed, unfolding effortlessly under a light touch while retaining warmth and dimensional depth as it grows in intensity.

The Character of Mountain Ash

Mountain Ash is not commonly seen in acoustic guitar construction at this level. Traditionally reserved for larger structural applications, its use here reveals an unexpected tonal character, open, resonant, and expansive, with a natural clarity that pairs seamlessly with Cedar’s organic immediacy and bloom.

Body Shape & Response

In shaping this build, the Grand Auditorium body was selected for its ability to preserve nuance while allowing the instrument to breathe. It enhances the Cedar’s sensitivity and quick response, while the density and character of Mountain Ash bring structure, balance, and a gentle low-end foundation.

Cohesive Aesthetic

Aesthetically, the design follows a philosophy of cohesion and flow. A fully segmented rosette features the same Mountain Ash used in the back and sides, creating a visual continuity that feels organic rather than decorative. This is carried through to the headstock, with a matching Mountain Ash headplate and inlays that unify the entire instrument in a single material voice.

Effortless Expression

The result is a guitar that feels unforced in its expression. It doesn’t demand attention, it opens space. Notes bloom, decay naturally, and overlap in a way that feels almost orchestral at times, rewarding sensitivity and nuance over power.