Kris Barnett, 2025

This 2025 concert guitar is the 141st instrument from Kris Barnett, an American luthier who has been based in Germany for many years and is known throughout the guitar world as much for his celebrated Barnett tuning machines as for his guitars. It was built at the height of his development as a maker, using a light lattice bracing system of his own design.

This guitar carries added significance right now. Barnett has recently announced that he is stepping back from guitar making to focus on his other projects for the foreseeable future, and this is among the last handful of instruments to leave his shop, one of perhaps only a few he built after it. For anyone who has followed his work, it is a rare chance to own a guitar from what may be his final body of work for some time to come.

What makes it so compelling is how completely it hides its modern construction. No one would ever guess there is lattice bracing under the top. It looks, feels, and above all sounds like a refined traditional concert guitar, with craftsmanship that is simply off the charts. Every detail is considered, and before you play a note, the level of workmanship already sets it apart.

Specifications

Luthier: Kris Barnett
Year: 2025
Number: 141
Top: Cedar
Back & Sides: Exotic Ebony
Construction: Light lattice based on the Fibonacci sequence (no carbon reinforcement)
Finish: French polish
Scale Length: 650mm
Nut Width: 52mm
Fingerboard: Bound ebony, elevated, with 20th fret access
Tuners: Barnett
Origin: Germany
Strings: D'Addario XT C45TT with titanium trebles
https://ddar.io/guitar-collection

Construction & Design

The cedar top sits over a light lattice pattern derived from the Fibonacci sequence. Rather than running across the entire top, the lattice is concentrated in the area around the bridge, with fan braces extending out toward the edges and no cross bracing there, and there is no carbon reinforcement anywhere in the top. The result is a lightweight, lightly braced instrument, and it is this design that gives the guitar its more traditional voice.

The back and sides are a striking set of exotic ebony, finished in a flawless, mirror-like French polish. The decorative work is exceptional and clearly Simplicio inspired: a delicate diamond motif runs through the rosette, the tie block, and the purflings around the body, and that same motif continues down the center of the headstock. The neck features a V joint, with an ebony center strip that carries through from the back of the guitar up into the head, and it is topped with a set of Barnett's own tuning machines, beautifully engraved and fitted with dark mother of pearl buttons.

Sound

Of the modern lattice designs, this is the most traditional voiced. There is none of the exaggerated bass or glassy treble sometimes associated with lattice guitars. Instead it offers a warm, balanced, and charming voice, with a beautiful amount of sustain and a lovely resonance. The trebles have a crystalline quality, and the first string in particular is phenomenal.

Because the top is lightly braced with no carbon reinforcement, the notes do not fly off the string the way they can on a lattice or double top guitar. That gives the player real leeway to lean in and push, and the guitar rewards a firm, expressive touch rather than doing all the work for you. It is a slightly more traditional and forgiving instrument to drive, and a deeply satisfying one to sit with.

Playability

The guitar plays beautifully. The neck is a thin C shape with low action, and the elevated fingerboard, with clean access to the 20th fret, makes the upper register feel easy and natural under the hand. The ebony fingerboard is bound, so there are no visible fret tangs along the edge, and it carries tall frets and a slight radius. It is exactly the kind of guitar you want to sit down and play for hours.

Excellent condition throughout. The only wear is some light marking just below the bridge, visible in the final photograph in the album, along with a tiny crack in the finish. Aside from that, the guitar is essentially perfect.