Michael Fontenot, 2025

This 2025 guitar by Michael Fontenot, his 25th instrument, represents a further deepening of his already impressive modern voice. Built in Fredericksburg, Texas, this cedar and Nomex double top continues the trajectory we observed in earlier guitars such as No. 19 and No. 21, but sinks even further into Fontenot’s refined personal style, both sonically and visually.

What sets Michael apart is not only his craftsmanship, but his near obsessive curiosity about sound. He has spent years collecting and charting sonic data from some of the finest classical guitars in the world, meticulously analyzing air resonances, response curves, stiffness to weight ratios, and construction variables. Those observations are not academic exercises. They are being translated directly into instruments that perform far above what one would expect from a maker who has built only a few dozen guitars.

No. 25 feels purposeful in every detail. The build is light and resonant, the workmanship increasingly elegant, and the tonal balance remarkably mature. It is the kind of guitar that immediately signals a maker who knows exactly what he is listening for and is rapidly approaching the level of far more established names.

Key Features

Top: Cedar with Nomex core double top
Back and Sides: Indian Rosewood with wheat style purfling
Fingerboard: Elevated ebony
Scale Length: 640mm
Neck: Slim C shape
Finish: French polish
Armrest: Sculpted and seamlessly integrated
Tuners: Sloan with snakewood buttons

Sound & Playability

This guitar is extraordinarily quick to respond, with a lively top that activates under the lightest touch yet offers impressive reserve when pushed. As with Fontenot’s earlier instruments, the air resonance sits very low, lending the voice a dark, grounded core that anchors the instrument beautifully.

The trebles are lyrical and even across all registers, retaining clarity and singing sustain even with nylon strings. The midrange is articulate and colorful, while the basses remain round and focused without becoming diffuse. The result is a sound that feels expansive and refined at the same time.

Dynamics are a particular strength here. The guitar moves effortlessly from intimate, whisper soft playing to broader textures without losing composure. It rewards nuance, phrasing, and tonal shading, and offers the kind of feedback that encourages long sessions in the practice room.

The slim neck profile and 640mm scale once again make for exceptional comfort. It is a remarkably agile guitar, ideal for players who value ease under the left hand while still wanting a full concert capable voice.

Final Thoughts

Michael Fontenot’s No. 25 is a compelling statement from a maker who is clearly accelerating. The blend of careful empirical research, attentive listening, and increasingly sophisticated craftsmanship has resulted in an instrument with real authority and personality. It is refined, powerful, beautifully balanced, and unmistakably the work of a luthier finding his mature voice.

It will be fascinating to watch how his aesthetic refinement continues to catch up to his already formidable sonic achievements.

If you're interested in reserving the next to arrive, please write to us at evan@guitarcollection.com

Brand new, with a handful of minor cosmetic details consistent with a young workshop. There are small refinements still to be made in areas such as portions of the rosette work and the French polish when compared to the most seasoned, decades established makers. None of this affects structural integrity, playability, or sound, and the overall presentation remains very attractive.