Mark Usherovich DT, 2026

The latest guitar from Canadian luthier Mark Usherovich arrived at the shop this month, and it continues a pattern we have come to expect from him: every new instrument surprises us. We have carried a number of Mark's guitars over the past two years, and they remain some of the most refined doubletops on the market. He is a builder who puts an immense amount of care into every element of the instrument, and he sends long, detailed messages about each guitar he completes. This is not someone cranking out guitars. He is heavily invested in each one, and he told us he considers this cedar doubletop one of his personal favorites. Having spent time with it, we can see why.

The guitar is built around a cedar/Nomex doubletop supported by seven extremely lightweight fan braces, with two additional braces crossing the fans diagonally. That approach carries through the entire build. The whole instrument is a feather at just 1,315 grams, yet it packs an extraordinary punch.

The finish deserves its own mention. You can tell from the weight alone that the top must be very thin, but the polish work is so well executed that the Nomex layer is not easily visible through the cedar. It is flawless across the whole guitar.

Nothing about this guitar is flashy. It is pure sound, built by a luthier whose instruments are being picked up by players around the world, and it is an honor to be presenting his newest work.

Sound

What we appreciate most about Mark as a builder is that his guitars are very lightweight and extremely powerful without a sustain compromise. Notes explode off the string with the kind of immediacy that usually signals a guitar with short sustain, because when a note is that explosive and the guitar is that loud, you expect a tradeoff somewhere. Somehow it is not there. This guitar is remarkably even from note to note.

The main air resonance sits at E. A resonance this low can create problems, and this guitar avoids all of them. There are no short notes on E, and the bass never turns boomy or overwhelms the rest of the sound. Play an E major chord, move up to F major, and the bass notes stay balanced within the chord instead of one of them swallowing everything around it. The low end is deep and rich, the trebles are clear, and the overall impression is of a guitar that is fully integrated across its range.

The character is a fascinating combination. The low, rich sound evokes Santos Hernández, the great Spanish maker, while the snappiness, projection, and volume recall Matthias Dammann. That is what makes this guitar so well rounded. It is not just an instrument for the competition player looking for something loud enough to project to the back of the hall, though it is excellent for exactly that. It is equally rewarding for the player who is going to enjoy it in their own room.

Playability

The 648 mm scale is Mark's preferred scale length, paired with a 52 mm nut. The neck profile is on the slim side, perhaps closer to a medium, and the action is set very low: 4 mm on the bass side and 2.75 mm on the treble side at the 12th fret. That setup lets you really dig into the basses with no buzzing, while the trebles feel buttery and silky smooth under the fingers. It is a very comfortable, very easy guitar to play, and an integrated armrest adds to that comfort.

The back and sides are a beautiful set of Indian rosewood. The armrest is seamlessly integrated into the body and made of what Mark tells us is gumwood. The bridge is very lightweight with a matte finish and a nicely figured ebony tie block. Up at the headstock, a set of Barnett tuning machines provides super smooth, precise tuning.

Inside, the label reads Mark Usherovich, Double Top, 648 scale, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, 2026. As with all of Mark's guitars, the label is entirely hand drawn in calligraphy by his wife, which we think is one of the coolest details on any guitar we carry.

Specifications

Top: Cedar / Nomex Doubletop
Construction: Doubletop, seven fan braces with two diagonal intersecting braces
Finish: French polish
Nut Width: 52 mm
Action: 4 mm bass / 2.75 mm treble at the 12th fret
Armrest: Integrated, gumwood
Bridge: Lightweight matte bridge with ebony tie block
Label: Hand drawn calligraphy by the luthier's wife

Mark Usherovich has been building fine handmade concert classical and romantic guitars since 2004 and is currently based in Ontario, Canada. His journey into lutherie began in Jerusalem, Israel, where his early work crafting wooden skin drums shaped his understanding of vibration, resonance, and tonal color. His approach continues to be influenced by bowed instruments such as the violin and cello, and by the tradition of the great Spanish masters.

He later studied with Tom Blackshear in San Antonio, Texas, gaining a deep understanding of resonance tuning and structural refinement. From this foundation, Mark developed a highly individual approach that combines the warmth and character of traditional guitars with the projection and responsiveness of modern doubletop construction. His guitars are no secret: players around the world are drawn to his instruments, including GFA winner Thomas Viloteau, who frequently plays and posts clips with his guitars. Mark travels regularly to guitar festivals and loves meeting the guitarists who play his work.

Brand new, 2026 build.