O’Leary guitar 2023 Exclusive serie No 269 – Ireland

Here is a brand new Exclusive model from Michael & Alec O’Leary. This guitar is offering a major upgrade as well : a wonderful Madagascar rosewood for the back and sides. What differentiates the Exclusive model from the Professional: the best woods, O’Leary Scheller tuners, and French polish for the top. Most importantly the sound is wonderful. I have included in the video player, one of Sharon Isbin playing live at the White House for Barrack Obama.

Here is some information from Alec O’Leary, regarding the Exclusive Series here:

“There are differences in exterior/interior wood choices for the customer, tuners, finishing and most importantly the top. The Exclusive Series guitars have the very best of everything in every way. The top is the most important element and we handpick from the very best in the world. Although both Exclusive and Professional Series models have master grade tops, within this category, there is a variation in quality. Out of about 100 tops, we will find one unique quality top that has better grain structure, strength, aesthetic and sound response than the others. This is an Exclusive Series top and we keep it aside for these guitars. It will produce a superior instrument. As you know guitars can have a mind of their own and there are exceptions to this rule. The top is French polished on the Exclusive as opposed to the Professional Series which is lacquered (a very thin coat of matt lacquer). That is for most customers but not the case for your orders – we French polish for you. This is considerably more time-consuming as you know and contributes handsomely to the sound production. The back and sides are finished in the same way on both. To the keen listener, there is a noticeable sound difference between the models with respect to projection and sustain. Indeed the top is responsible for the playability too so the Exclusive Series tends to be more responsive for the player.”

Yes, indeed  Berta Rojas, David Russell and Sharon have the Exclusive Series O’Leary guitar.

That is simply because the sound of the O’Leary guitars is unique, so musical and so beautiful. The perfect balance between traditional and modernity. The sound and the playability are amazing.

The main features are the sound quality with crystal-clear trebles, a long sustain, and a great balance between clarity and warmness. One can get a lot of tone colors out of the guitar. The basses are deep,  The notes are creamy and thick. Last but not least the Exotic Ebony is wonderful.

Alec and Michael O’Leary’s workshop is located near to Milford Carlow in the Irish countryside but their guitars are all over the world in the hands of famous players such as Bertas Rojas,  Sharon Isbin, Sergio Assad, David Russell (owns one), Marco Socias, Eleftheria Kotzia, Elena Zucchini. Loud and beautiful with a wonderful color tone.

Being a fan of Bertas Rojas and Sharon Isbin, having a classical guitar from Alec and Michael O’Leary was simply compulsory for us. We ordered the first guitar a long time ago.  This third guitar is from the Professional series the best one and offers wonderful craftsmanship with very impressive Exotic Ebony for the back and side. The playability of the guitar is great and the sound is incredible. The string separation is amazing and the guitar has just some fantastic medium which makes the guitar very balanced. The trebles are crystal clear.

I will position this guitar among the very best lattice guitars sharing the sound quality of a Simon Marty with but a little bit warmer.

Maybe the best lattice guitar from Europe.

For more information, contact us by using the form below or call us at 0033684784569