Manuel Rodriguez - Superior Estadio ES-SC Mat

When you first pick it up, the Manuel Rodriguez Estadio Serie Superior comes across as a 4/4 guitar that has chosen its camp: that of the stage, of amplification, of playing in a high position and of a high register pushed to the 24th fret. The cutaway is not an aesthetic compromise - it's an architectural decision. The authentic Spanish heel, shaped externally into an ergonomic profile, preserves the acoustic integrity of the neck-body junction while making each of the 24 frets physically accessible from the 14th junction position. The 14th fret junction itself - as opposed to the traditional 12th fret - pushes the transition point towards the treble, extending the comfortable playing area in the first position. The matt varnish finish absorbs stage light without any unwanted glare.

The dappled eucalyptus on the sides and back generates an open, defined acoustic projection, distinct from the round warmth of the maple - its luminous character particularly serves the Hannabach Silver Special carbon high strings, whose brilliance of tone finds a natural relay in this body. The solid spruce of the top, stressed by the strong draw of the Hannabach 815HTC strings made in Germany, develops a greater amplitude of vibration, which translates into fuller projection in unamplified playing - and a richer signal source for the bridge pickup in amplified playing. The flat 7 cm body promotes coupling between the top and the back over a short acoustic path, reinforcing the coherence of the mid-range frequencies. The rosewood bridge with 12 drilled holes and bone saddles transmit harmonics without filtering out partials. The rosewood fingerboard slightly absorbs transients on attack, softening the bite of the carbon without erasing its definition. The double-action trussrod on the mahogany neck allows the relief to be adjusted in both directions, which is essential when faced with seasonal humidity variations.

The extra-narrow 44mm neck redefines playing geometry: the extensions in the upper position become accessible without excessive rotation of the left wrist, and switching from one register to another over 24 frets is done with a fluidity that the standard 52mm neck does not allow. The integrated bridge sensor picks up vibrations at the primary transmission source, and the ARTEC SQ-3 preamp processes the signal upstream of the output - active control of amp or console output without an external preamp. The ergonomic armrest eliminates the table damping caused by the forearm during extended amplified play, preserving the natural dynamics of the body on stage.