Martin Bretscher - 2025 Small Soul Lattice 63 cm
Martin Bretscher - 2025 Small Soul Lattice 63 cm
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Martin Bretscher is a German guitar maker whose work is characterised by precision craftsmanship, material awareness and a clear ethical approach. His professional background began with an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker, where he developed a refined sensitivity for wood and structural detail. In 2003 he commenced formal training as a plucked instrument maker under Armin Hanika and soon distinguished himself through the consistency and clarity of his work. In 2007 he was awarded both his master certificate and the Master Craftsman Prize of the Bavarian State Government.
In 2020 Bretscher founded Soul Guitars in Bavaria. His workshop reflects values of sustainability, responsible material sourcing and individual expression. Each instrument is conceived as a coherent musical system, in which construction, ergonomics and sound are closely interrelated. His guitars are designed to offer comfort, reliability and a clearly shaped tonal identity rather than sheer spectacle.
About the guitar
The Small Soul Lattice from 2025 is a compact concert guitar with a 630 millimetre scale length, conceived to offer increased playing comfort without compromising acoustic performance. The spruce top is supported by a lattice bracing system and paired with apple wood back and sides. The soundboard is finished with wax, while the body receives a French polish, resulting in a lightweight and responsive construction.
Despite its shorter scale, the guitar delivers a surprisingly powerful and well projected sound. The response is immediate and effortless, with tones emerging freely and evenly across the entire register. The character is round, warm and well centred, supported by a clear and stable sustain. The balance remains consistent, allowing both single line playing and chordal textures to unfold with clarity. The reduced scale contributes to a relaxed left hand feel, making the instrument particularly appealing for players seeking comfort while retaining a full and confident concert voice.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.