Now retired, California luthier Michael Hornick built a worldwide reputation for his distinctive Shanti Guitars. When he started working on his first steel-stringed guitar in 1984, he discovered a passion for experimentation and innovation. With each Shanti guitar, Michael sought to push his craft to the next level, building off of the lessons of previous guitars while also finding new ways to improve and innovate. This Shanti D52 is #159, and it may very well be the last Shanti guitar ever build. For many years, Michael built the prize-winner guitar for the Telluride Troubadour competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. This guitar was built as the prize for the 2023 competition, and it was the last guitar that Michael built before retiring. It was won by Jackson Emmer who loved the guitar, but sadly doesn't have room for it in his guitar quiver. This Shanti has a body that is typical of most dreadnoughts with a 14-fret neck. It measures 20" long and 15-1/2" across the lower bout. The overall depth is 4-7/8" at the end pin. It features an Engelmann Spruce top and Koa back and sides. The top is supported by Hornick's unique approach to X-bracing (with double top thickness around the soundhole), and the back is double X-braced. There are two sound ports—one on the bass side and one on the treble side—and it also includes covers so that either, both, or neither sound port can be used. While the design itself is based on experimentation, the Shanti sound ports give the player more ways to experiment with the sound. As for condition, this 2023 Shanti D52 shows some minor play wear, but it is in excellent cosmetic condition all around. The top shows some subtle reaction to different climates—you can feel the center seam behind the bridge, and that area shows some pull from the strings. Like any guitar, this one will benefit from proper humidity levels. In the first 10 years of a guitars life, it's sometimes still trying to be a tree! This 2023 Shanti D52 produces a robust, round sound with a prominent midrange. It has nice clarity across the register, and it can handle a heavy flat pick. But at the same time, it still responds to a lighter touch. The nut measures 1-3/4", but the fingerboard is just about 1/32" wider than that. It has a manageable D-shape neck profile, and Gotoh 510 tuners keep you honest. This 2023 Shanti D52 includes its original hardshell case.
