Dion No.4 Engelmann/Cocobolo for The Golden Era Guitar
 

Hey guys, we've recently taken in a guitar built by Dion Bews in Engelmann and Cocobolo which is available for sale. Here is a video review on the guitar and you may skip forward to the 2:13 mark to hear a short demo of "Catching the Light" by Antoine Dufour played on the guitar. A written review along with photos will be coming your way shortly. Enjoy! :D

Sorry Marcus & Dion, this is not aimed at either of your talents in playing and building, the guitar sounds great at the start of the song, but I'm not a fan of the hammer on style of playing. In my opinion, it's not a good style to show off the sound of a guitar. Do all the harmonics you want, strumming, finger picking etc, but that specific hammer on technique sounds too tinny, and harsh for such a beautiful guitar.
I wonder if a guitar can be built to deal with this specific style of playing?
Guitar design has changed over the years to target specific styles of playing, so I guess it would be doable.

That is a really nicely proportioned guitar. I like the lines of the body.
Beautiful!

Well thanks Mark! That means a lot coming from a builder with your eye.

I personally feel that it sounds fine to me. Maybe what you are after is something warmer like Cedar or possibly a Lowden like tone. The Dion is bright and punchy, and that could be the harshness you hear. I personally like this guitar for powerful strumming in a band setting or even a fingerstyle player who has a light touch and does not have any nails.

I know what that is code for - pictures. And I aim to please :)

Here are some full bodied shots to start off with before I zoom in to the details. I think you pretty much nailed it with your description Mark!

https://i.imgur.com/WqhjiXe.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ALGS1Lb.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/44JYOFH.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/uPL18Ga.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ZdPUchy.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/S1LsFpV.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/Fctnlum.jpg?1

Agreed Marcus. I’d add that a dense wood like Cocobolo tends to create that big bell like tone. Even with the hollow core back design, the species of wood very much informs the tone. For a less bright tone I tend to lean toward my stash of mahogany.

Love the shape, especially how it slopes up to the neck. Also really like the simplicity of the whole approach, letting the wood and design speak volumes. I love the exotic accents of very talented builders too, but sometimes less is more. Russ Parker

I'm thinking perhaps I haven't explained myself correctly. I have nothing against the overall sound of the guitar, the song Marcus played sounded so beautiful at the start, but when he started using his right hand for hammer on style playing up the neck, I find this to be a harsh and tinny sound. Not just on this guitar either, it's a style that while impressive to watch, I don't like the sound of what is produced.

Thanks Marcus for the review, beautiful playing!

Great sounding guitar, thanks for posting.

Thanks for taking a listen!

Thanks for the kind words!

Thanks guys for checking out the video! :D

Here are more shots to show off some close ups of the details:

My favourite shot of every guitar:

https://i.imgur.com/6TNjoZH.jpg?1

Love the black satin neck on every Dion. It provides a cool look, as well as a great feel in the hand:

https://i.imgur.com/qWvkIgA.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/JMcUEXu.jpg?1

The sound port is present on every Dion. I personally feel that it's not necessary as his guitars are already so loud and enveloping, if there was any difference with the sound hole covered and exposed, I could not hear it. But it is still a nice feature to have:

https://i.imgur.com/Ak18c7e.jpg?1

A couple shots of his signature headstock - very simple and elegant:

https://i.imgur.com/F7hDSX0.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/pPL68R4.jpg?1

Check out the simplicity of his rosette. I also really love how the end of the fretboard terminates in a smooth curve:

https://i.imgur.com/H9lys7l.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ZjNCdkd.jpg?1

The bridge:

https://i.imgur.com/ZdL4BQo.jpg?1