Johannes Kitselis, 2025
Spruce / Indian Rosewood
Overview
This brand new Johannes Kitselis No. 94 arrives directly from the workshop of Swedish luthier Johannes Kitselis, and marks the very first instrument I’ve represented from him. We are proud to now be the exclusive USA dealer for Kitselis guitars.
From the first notes, you’re immediately greeted by a beautifully open, natural, and distinctly “wooden” sound that feels incredibly refreshing. This is not a dry or clinical instrument in any sense. Quite the opposite. It is rich in overtones, highly resonant, and deeply musical right out of the box.
Visually, the guitar is just as compelling. The rosette is dark, refined, and reveals subtle color when viewed up close. The spruce top shows a lovely, mature character, and the Indian rosewood back and sides keep the aesthetic grounded and elegant. Details like the integrated armrest, wheat motif tie block, and ebony accents throughout reflect a builder with a clear and confident artistic voice.
Sound & Playability
This guitar is, quite simply, a sustain powerhouse.
Notes don’t just decay, they develop. You can land on a pitch and hear it expand through sympathetic vibrations and overtones, creating a sense of depth and movement that continues long after the initial attack. It is one of those rare instruments where you find yourself lingering on notes just to hear what happens next.
Despite this richness, the guitar never becomes muddy or unfocused. In fact, one of the most surprising aspects is just how clear and controlled everything remains, even in full chords. For an instrument this overtone-rich, that level of separation is genuinely impressive.
The trebles are singing, colorful, and incredibly sustaining, especially in the upper registers. The basses are deep and resonant without overwhelming the texture. Across the entire fingerboard, every note feels alive and responsive.
Equally important is how forgiving and easy this guitar is to play. This is not one of those dry, hyper-demanding instruments that punishes the right hand. Instead, it rewards you immediately. You feel like you’re producing beautiful tone with very little effort, and that encourages exploration.
The dynamic range is wide, and the ceiling is difficult to reach. You can play aggressively without the sound collapsing, yet at the lightest touch the guitar responds instantly. It gives you exactly what you expect, no matter where you place your right hand. Bright, warm, rich, or focused, it is all readily available without needing to fight the instrument.
There is a real sense here that the guitar is working with you, not against you.
Construction & Design
This is a spruce double top with a Nomex core, built using extremely thin layers that are vacuum glued in stages. Kitselis combines spruce and cedar bracing, choosing each material intuitively depending on where stiffness or lightness is needed.
The result is a guitar that achieves impressive power and sustain, while maintaining balance and clarity across the register.
Additional modern features include a raised fingerboard, sound port, and a beautifully executed integrated armrest, all of which contribute to both comfort and the instrument’s open, airy response.
The guitar also features a 20th fret for extended upper register access, along with a clean and comfortable setup that allows for low action without buzz, even under aggressive playing.
Condition
Brand new, direct from the luthier. No issues, no wear.
Key Features
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Luthier: Johannes Kitselis
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Year: 2025 (completed 2026)
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Serial Number: No. 94
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Top: Spruce double top with Nomex core
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Back & Sides: Indian rosewood
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Bracing: Fan braced, mixed spruce and cedar
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Fingerboard: Raised ebony fingerboard with 20th fret
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Armrest: Integrated
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Sound Port: Yes
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Tuners: Alessi
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Scale Length: 650mm
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Nut Width: 52mm
If this guitar is no longer available, please feel free to write to us to discuss reserving the next Johannes Kitselis guitar to arrive to our shop.