Martin Bretscher - 2025 Soul - Cut
Martin Bretscher - 2025 Soul - Cut
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 defined by precision craftsmanship, material awareness and a clear ethical stance. His professional path began with an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker, where he developed a deep understanding of wood and structural detail. In 2003 he entered formal training as a plucked instrument maker under Armin Hanika and quickly distinguished himself through the clarity and consistency of his work. In 2007 he received his master certificate as well as the Master Craftsman Prize of the Bavarian State Government, acknowledging both technical skill and artistic maturity.
In 2020 Bretscher founded Soul Guitars in Bavaria, a workshop shaped by principles of sustainability, fair sourcing and individuality. His instruments are conceived as complete musical systems in which construction, ergonomics and visual language serve a coherent acoustic goal. Rather than pursuing excess, Bretscher focuses on balance, comfort and reliability, creating guitars that feel intuitive under the hands while offering a refined and controllable sound palette.
About the guitar
This Soul Cut model from 2025 is a lattice braced concert guitar that reflects Martin Bretscher’s contemporary approach to sound and playability. The spruce top is paired with apple wood back and sides and finished in French polish, resulting in a lightweight yet structurally efficient instrument. The lattice construction allows the soundboard to react freely while maintaining control, supporting a direct and immediate tonal response.
In sound the guitar is notably soft, round and pleasant, with an even response across all registers. The balance is consistent from bass to treble, giving each note the same sense of presence and intensity. Tones emerge easily without physical effort and are supported by a clear and stable sustain. The instrument resonates openly and reacts quickly, making fast passages and dynamic changes feel natural and unforced. Despite its modern construction, the sound remains cohesive and calm, offering a refined voice that rewards attentive shaping rather than sheer volume.
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.