Michel Brück, 2019
Cedar / CSA Rosewood
Overview
This 2019 Michel Brück (No. 276) was built with a single instruction: use the finest materials available, no matter the cost. That meant one of Michel's best cedar tops, an exceptional set of Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides, a Brazilian rosewood bridge, and what may be the most beautifully engraved set of Rodgers tuners we have ever seen on a guitar.
Michel Brück is a maker we have come to know well over the years, and his attention to detail is second to none. He is first and foremost obsessed with sound, but like any great luthier, he is also deeply connected to the extraordinary materials he has collected over a long career. His instruments are played by some of the most important guitarists in the world, including René Izquierdo, Tatyana Ryzhkova, Peter Graneis, and many others.
This is a rare opportunity to own one of the most special Brück guitars we have encountered.
Specs
| Year | 2019 |
| Number | 276 |
| Top | Cedar double top (Nomex core, 7 spruce fan braces) |
| Back and Sides | Brazilian rosewood |
| Bridge | Brazilian rosewood |
| Tuners | Rodgers (engraved, ebony buttons, white rollers) |
| Scale Length | 650mm |
| Nut Width | 52.5mm |
| Action | ~3.5mm (6th string), ~2.75mm (1st string) |
| Weight | 1,435g |
Details
The rosette is one of the most elegant we have seen on a Brück guitar: simple, classic, and perfectly proportioned against the cedar soundboard. It does not compete with the top; it frames it. The tie block carries the same palette, with a small mother-of-pearl center piece that catches the light beautifully. The fingerboard is raised, making upper-register playing effortless.
The headstock features Michel's distinctive sapwood figure running down the center, a quiet personal detail that adds real character. The Rodgers tuners are among the most striking we have seen: hand-engraved, fitted with ebony buttons and white rollers. We have seen many sets of Rodgers over the years, and these are exceptional.
One small detail worth knowing: the decorative engraving on the center strip of the back depicts the view from outside Michel's home. It is the kind of personal touch that reflects how he approaches his work.
This guitar weighs 1,435g, which is toward the heavier end of what we have seen from Michel's double tops. We mention this because it seems connected to something notable in the sound: a degree of control, warmth, and evenness that can sometimes be harder to find in the lightest examples of the type.
Sound
Our first impression is simple: this is one of the finest Michel Brück guitars we have played.
The trebles have a dark, almost mysterious quality that sets this guitar apart from what we typically expect in a Brück. They are warm and forgiving rather than piercingly bright, which makes the guitar feel generous and expressive across a wide range of right-hand approaches. Sustain is excellent, which is not always guaranteed on a guitar this open and responsive.
Chords are especially satisfying. The overtones bloom and resolve in a way that can sometimes elude the most hyper-responsive, featherweight double tops in smaller rooms. This guitar works in any setting.
The basses are deep, open, and immediate. The sixth string in particular fills the room in a way that involves the whole body of the instrument. There is tremendous clarity across the register, with speed and depth working together rather than trading off against each other.
We have long wondered whether the right piece of Brazilian rosewood, in the right hands, genuinely elevates an already exceptional instrument. This guitar feels like a direct argument for that position.
Playability
The setup is low and comfortable, with the quick, lively response that Michel Brück guitars are known for. Action sits around 3.5mm at the sixth string and 2.75mm at the first, allowing real dynamic range without sacrificing ease. The raised fingerboard makes upper-register playing completely effortless.
The neck is a well-rounded C shape that feels immediately natural under the hand. Michel is an accomplished guitarist himself, and we think that shows in how intuitively his instruments are set up to play.
Condition
This guitar has been played extensively, and the top shows it. There are light scratches and nail marks across the soundboard, along with one string ding behind the bridge on the treble side. The guitar is structurally sound, with no cracks and no repaired cracks. From a few feet away, the wear is much less apparent than up close, but we have photographed it honestly and highlighted the marks so there are no surprises.
This is an instrument with real playing history and real musical character, and the two feel connected.
Closing Thoughts
A guitar built without compromise, using materials that Michel Brück spent a career collecting, made by a luthier at the height of his powers. The cedar double top, Brazilian rosewood, engraved Rodgers tuners, and extraordinary sound all point in the same direction: this is Michel Brück at his best.
Now seven years old, this guitar has opened up beautifully. For the player looking for a world-class concert instrument with power, sensitivity, color, and a deeply distinctive voice, this 2019 Brück is a remarkable find.
Worldwide shipping available. To inquire, write to evan@guitarcollection.com.