In the realm of iconic guitar-player pairings, the connection between Lowden Guitars and master fingerstyle guitarist Pierre Bensusan holds a distinctive position in acoustic guitar lore. Back in 1978, George Lowden crafted what was then known as a model S22 (today, it would be dubbed an O22) for Bensusan, and save for a few fleeting diversions, Bensusan's renowned jumbo-body "Old Lady" has remained his steadfast companion ever since. In 2009, as Bensusan's aging instrument warranted a replacement, Lowden embarked on creating a successor, birthing the "New Lady" for Bensusan and ushering in the Pierre Bensusan Signature model. Let's delve into this exceptional guitar.

Exquisite Craftsmanship The Bensusan signature model is rooted in Lowden's F body size, akin to the proportions of a small jumbo or grand auditorium. Measuring 15⅞ inches wide at the lower bout and 42⅓2 inches deep at the tailblock, it features a small yet effective armrest bevel to mitigate any ergonomic challenges posed by its deep body. The guitar's aesthetic is unadorned, sporting only a thin, elegant abalone rosette and the Lowden insignia in abalone on the headstock. The ebony headstock overlay, finished in pitch-black, bears Bensusan's signature in pearl on its back.

The instrument's clean, minimalist design directs focus towards the high-quality woods employed throughout. The Honduras rosewood back and sides, darkly stained and satin-finished, exude understated beauty, accentuating the nearly pristine, finely grained Adirondack spruce top. With wood utilized for bindings, purfling, and more, the satin finish lends the guitar an organic, exceptionally sophisticated appearance. The smooth five-piece maple neck, alternating light and dark wood strips, emanates a subtle old-world charm, visually appealing as you play.

As is characteristic of Lowden guitars, the neck is remarkably rigid and stable. Sporting a 25.59-inch scale length (650 mm) with string spacing of 1.77 inches at the nut and 2.36 inches at the saddle, the neck width widens more than the string spacing towards the upper frets, affording ample room for vibrato on higher-pitched melodic lines. Lowden's customary split saddle ensures impeccable intonation across the guitar's entire range, while the gold Gotoh 510 tuning keys, equipped with ebony buttons, facilitate smooth and effortless tuning. The Madagascar rosewood bridge adopts Lowden's trademark pinless design, simplifying string changes and enhancing comfort, with no bridge pins protruding beneath your picking-hand palm.

As expected from a guitar in this price range and endorsed by a master like Bensusan, the instrument's construction is impeccable. The top-notch materials and flawless craftsmanship impart an intangible yet immediate sense of refined elegance.

Sonic Brilliance The visual allure, tactile feel, and superb construction of the Lowden elevated my expectations regarding its sound, and I was not disappointed. True to Lowden's reputation, the Bensusan model possesses the distinct Lowden tone—a quality challenging to articulate but unforgettable once experienced. The tone is diffuse yet projecting, resonating with robust lower mids, a powerful bass, and crystalline highs. Notably, the guitar boasts remarkable sustain and responsiveness to dynamics, rendering it a lively instrument with overtones and sympathetic vibrations that effortlessly emerge.

Unsurprisingly, the guitar shines in alternate tunings like D A D G A D, lending authenticity to Bensusan's repertoire (which predominantly employs this tuning), but it's equally impressive in standard tuning. Playability is exceptional, featuring smooth, relatively low action and a neck width providing a tad more room for fingerstyle players. The rounded neck profile feels substantial yet comfortable, and the bevel and body shape ensure a comfortable grip.

While retaining the quintessential Lowden sound, the Bensusan model possesses its own distinct personality and tonal signature. In comparison tests with other Lowden guitars, including a new F model crafted from Sitka spruce and Indian rosewood, and a cedar-and-mahogany original S22 from Bensusan's era, each guitar exhibits a unique voice. However, the Bensusan model distinguishes itself not only with deeper bass than the F model but also with greater sustain and brighter, resonant overtones than either of the other guitars. The F model's fundamental tone, tighter bass, and shorter sustain may be better suited for traditional fingerpicking and flatpicking, whereas the Bensusan model excels in ethereal sounds ideal for modern fingerstyle. Cascading cross-string runs in D A D G A D on the Bensusan model produce a dramatic, shimmering harp-like effect. The increased bass response may be attributed to its "bass-bias" bracing, adjusted by Lowden to accommodate the armrest bevel, while the choice of woods likely contributes to the enhanced sustain, brilliance, and overtones.