aNueNue x Sugita Kenji Acoustic Future LS700 Acoustic/Electric Natural Gloss 2022
aNueNue Acoustic Future LS700, natural gloss, made in China 2022. This is a pretty special thing in my books. Launching in 2008, aNueNue are one of the biggest makers of mid-high end ukuleles in the world. The name is the Hawaiian word for rainbow; they're based out of Taiwan with a sister division in Honolulu. The brand diversified from ukes into guitars in 2015, launching their Bird Guitar steel string model. The Acoustic Future series represents a new push for the brand: just how good could their handmade guitar become, with the right help? Enter Sugita Kenji, master Japanese luthier. Kenji's guitars start at around A$15k, all made by hand and designed with a balance of old-world craftsmanship and innovative design. His signature bracing design, 'Coherence Vibration', works to stabilise the extra thin 2.5mm top and get teh whole guitar vibrating with every note: headstock, neck, body. This model is available new in Japan and USA with a street price of A$4760... serious cash. This one in an ex-demo model, so it's only got a few hours on the clock and presents very nicely. The tone is truly remarkable: amazing sustain, super expressive highs, piano-like punch and clarity down low, abundant natural volume... it's very, very impressive. We've had 9-series stuff through the shop, it reminds me a little of those guitars, but it's more articulate and more balanced somehow. We've got one and one only, folks.
Model: aNueNue x Sugita Kenji Acoustic Future LS700
Made: China, 2022
Serial: none
Finish: natural, gloss urethane
Body: Swiss moon spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, all solid construction, concert shape, Kenji "Coherence Vibration" brace design
Neck: African mahogany, ebony fretboard, 25.2" scale, 16" radius, slim C shape, 44mm nut
Weight: 1.945kg
Mods: none
Pickup: aNueNue Air Air under saddle + omni direction mic, with preamp
Accessories: original lightweight hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. There's a barely visible repair where the board was slightly separated from the neck on the treble side near the nut. The back has minor scuffs near the neck join. The sides have no major marks. The front has minor dimples behind the bridge, a scuff on the bottom edge down from the bridge and some play on the shoulders. .
Overall: excellent condition (8.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only