NGD: Kostal Mod D

[Cincy2]

This is the first Modified Dreadnaught guitar I've owned. Ben Montague at TNAG in England knew I loved my Kostal Jumbo so when he called with this beauty I couldn't say no. I was curious how it would compare to the Jumbo. Both have the same scale length, upper and lower bout thicknesses. I would guess they all weigh in the neighborhood of five pounds. They differ in that the Mod D has a much thicker waist (as I expected). What I didn't expect was the substantial difference in thickness between the instruments. I show a comparison photo below. Left to right: Halland DC-H, Kostal Jumbo and Kostal Mod D.

I've just got the Mod D's strings up to tension. First impression: MORE. It's got the very unique bass register of a Kostal guitar - crisp, fast attack, and endless sustain, just more of it. The additional depth of the low E string on the Mod D is very pleasing. The thicker instrument does not sacrifice treble and mid range clarity for that bass which is not easy for the luthier to accomplish I'm sure. The fundamental of the first three strings is very strong even though the surrounding overtone content has increased substantially from that of the Jumbo. The ratio between the two facilitates strong melody presentations when you are playing finger style which I do exclusively.

The woods deserve mention. Tight grained spruce with nary a blemish on the soundboard. Bracing on the underside was a "double X" with a crossing above and below the bridge plate. Assorted small tuning bars radiate from several places.

The back and sides of the guitar are old growth, perfectly quarter sawn Brazilian. I didn't know this quality was still available. The bridge also appears to be Brazilian and not the typical Ebony. I love the multi level, two tone headstock that Jason uses. Very tidy and artistic. While this guitar is three years old, there is no evidence it has every been played. Mint condition.

Bottom line. This is a finger style players dream. Fat, ringing trebles that are easy to bring out, crisp, sonorous basses to back them up and volume to shake the rafters at your disposal. I have no more room in my display case. I'm be hard pressed to pick a loser if another guitar shows up competing for a slot. Great job Jason and many thinks to Ben Montague at TNAG for giving me the opportunity to add this masterpiece to my collection.

Cincy

[FormerFoodie]

What a beauty!!!! I've never played a Kostal before, but from the sound clips I've heard, I definitely would love to test drive one of them one of these days!!!!

As beautiful as that guitar is, I imagine it sounds better, if that's possible. Thanks for sharing! Congrats on the new axe and play it in good health!!!

[TomB'sox]

Congrats, and as good as that guitar sounds, Jason is that good of person as well!

[nikie]

I have played several of the incredible guitars Jason is creating and in my opinion he's building the best MD models on the market and out of the Somogyi school. Congratulations.

[asobi]

What a brute! That rosette is really tastefully well done - amazing.

[SprintBob]

Congrats, gorgeous!

[cigarfan]

Congrats! Nothing like a Kostal to bring out those nuances all of us hope for in our playing! I can't say enough good things about my MDW.

And I agree with Tom. He's like a big teddy bear!

[Ovation1]

That guitar looks pretty amazing, congrats!

[justonwo]

Great looking guitar. Jason is one of the greats!

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Congrats! Nothing like a Kostal to bring out those nuances all of us hope for in our playing! I can't say enough good things about my MDW.

And I agree with Tom. He's like a big teddy bear!

I may have taken that pic, but if not I could have haha!!!! That is a lot of man right there!!!!

[justonwo]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I may have taken that pic, but if not I could have haha!!!! That is a lot of man right there!!!!

Dennis is a great guy as well! Loved meeting him at your event!

[TomB'sox]

Originally Posted by justonwo

Dennis is a great guy as well! Loved meeting him at your event!

Yes he certainly is!!! I was referring to the two of them in the embrace as a lot of man...you and I could embrace (but let's not) and we would pale in comparison to the two big gentle bears there! Meeting Jason was almost as cool as meeting you and Dennis along with a few others...

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I may have taken that pic, but if not I could have haha!!!! That is a lot of man right there!!!!

Ha! No, I took that one Tom!

[Dustinfurlow]

Congrats! I’ve played a few of Eric Songs Kostals and am always stunned with how intimate and musical they feel for being such beasts! Hope to one day own one.