The Complete Guide to Fenech Acoustic Guitars

The Foundations and History: From Environmental Science to Handcrafted Lutherie

Aaron Fenech began his journey with an eye for precision, initially training in automotive refinishing in 1997 before pivoting to carpentry and eventually master lutherie. Officially launching Fenech Guitars full time in 2016 on the sunny Gold Coast of Queensland, Aaron and his tight team of local artisans set out to achieve a distinct goal: building bench made acoustic guitars that prioritise volume, individual tuning, and tonal clarity over mass production.

What truly separates the history of Fenech from other household acoustic brands is their embrace of modern acoustic science. Aaron integrated modal tuning techniques, meaning each soundboard and back plate is individually thicknessed and hand voiced during the assembly stage. This process ensures the top vibrates efficiently across its specific frequency spectrum, creating a highly articulate voice that cuts through a live mix without muddying up the lower registers.

Aesthetic Philosophy and Visual Markers

Visually, a Fenech acoustic guitar balances elegant vintage underpinnings with striking modern Australian design flourishes. Rather than relying heavily on plastic or celluloid bindings, Fenech embraces an all timber aesthetic. Premium solid timber bindings, often constructed from rich Indian Rosewood or local figured maple, frame the body shapes gracefully.

One of the signature visual motifs you will notice on a Fenech instrument is their wave motif inlay and the beautiful tri block fingerboard markers, crafted meticulously from premium Mother of Pearl or native timber veneers. Soundholes are often bound with rosewood and paired with a custom rosette made of Paua shell or fine twisted rope marquetry. To finish the instrument, a thin coat of nitrocellulose lacquer in either a sleek satin or a dark bourbon burst stain is applied. This thin finish allows the timber to breathe and move freely, which improves acoustic resonance over the lifespan of the guitar.

The Australian Timber Vault: Sourcing for Unique Sonic Profiles

The true heart of an Australian built acoustic lies in its selection of tonewoods. Fenech has built a legendary reputation by pairing traditional acoustic timbers with native Australian hardwoods that offer distinct, complex sonic properties.

• Australian Blackwood: Sourced locally, Blackwood provides a spectacular visual grain while delivering a clear, well balanced acoustic tone. It acts as an incredible middle ground between the deep warmth of mahogany and the bright, shimmering top end of maple, with a highly pronounced mid range focus.

• Camphor Laurel: Fenech has pioneered the integration of Camphor Laurel into modern lutherie. Used primarily for backs and sides, Camphor offers a visually striking, wild grain pattern alongside a warm, rich, and highly complex tone. It also leaves a pleasant, signature aromatic scent inside the soundhole.

• Blackheart Sassafras and Tasmanian Tiger Myrtle: Reserved primarily for their high end Maker's Choice and Masterbuilt series, these rare Tasmanian timbers provide stunning natural striping and a highly sensitive, broad dynamic range with crisp high frequencies.

• Spruce and Mahogany: Fenech balances these local species with premium imported soundboards like Lutz Spruce and Sitka Spruce. Lutz Spruce is particularly favoured for its high strength to weight ratio, giving the player a powerful, rich tone with vast headroom for aggressive strumming. For their Delta Blues series, they construct the entire instrument from sustainable, plantation grown Genuine Mahogany, resulting in natural compression, strong fundamental mids, and a classic vintage character.

Ergonomics and Playability: Comfort in the Hands

An acoustic guitar can have the most beautiful voice in the world, but if it feels like a block of wood in your hands, you will rarely pick it up. Fenech designs their instruments with an emphasis on modern ergonomics. The necks are carved from a single piece of Genuine Mahogany into an incredibly comfortable, slim modern C profile. This profile avoids the blocky, club like feel of vintage acoustics, ensuring that players can comfortably navigate long sessions without fatigue.

The fingerboards are typically crafted from high grade Ebony or Pau Ferro, carved to a comfortable 15 inch radius. This flatter radius provides an effortless surface for both complex jazz chording and intricate fingerstyle runs. Furthermore, high tier models feature a rolled binding edge on the body. This smooth, rounded transition on the lower bout prevents the sharp edge of the guitar from digging into your forearm, a massive upgrade for performing singer songwriters who spend hours standing on stage.

Preferred Setup and Specialist Adjustments

From a guitar specialist's perspective, the way a Fenech handles string tension and relief is highly predictable due to their hybrid mortise and tenon neck joint. This joint provides rock solid stability while allowing for minor structural adjustments over time.

For a preferred setup on a Fenech acoustic, I recommend the following benchmarks:

• Neck Relief: Adjust the dual action truss rod so there is a minimal amount of relief, roughly 0.006 inches at the 7th fret. This keeps the action low and uniform.

• Action Height: At the 12th fret, aim for a string height of 2.0mm on the treble high E string and 2.5mm on the bass low E string. Fenech guitars utilise high quality Tusq or bone components which can be precisely filed to maintain clean string paths and clear intonation.

• String Selection: Fenech acoustics respond beautifully to high quality phosphor bronze strings. A light gauge set (12-53) provides the perfect balance of tension to drive the voiced top without making string bending overly difficult.

Plugging In: Amplification and Using an Acoustic Amp

While the acoustic voice of a Fenech is balanced and loud, taking that sound to a venue requires a reliable pickup system. In recent years, Fenech has transitioned their entire range to utilise premium LR Baggs electronics, moving away from heavier, multi component legacy systems. By integrating streamlined systems like the LR Baggs Element VTC or the soundhole mounted Stagepro Anthem, the internal structure of the guitar remains free from heavy plastic components that could stifle the top's natural vibrations.

When running your Fenech into a dedicated acoustic amplifier, keeping your signal clean and natural is key. Unlike electric guitar amplifiers that colour and distort your tone, a quality acoustic amplifier or PA system acts as a transparent mirror.

1. EQ Management: Start with your amplifier's EQ completely flat. Because Fenech guitars are voiced through modal tuning, they possess a naturally balanced mid range. You will rarely need to boost the bass or treble artificially.

2. Phase Control: If you encounter low end feedback while playing at high volumes on a small stage, utilise the phase switch on your LR Baggs preamp. Turning this on flips the polarity of the signal, instantly cancelling out the sympathetic frequencies causing the howl.

3. Effects Integration: A subtle touch of digital reverb or a short ambient delay can expand the acoustic space beautifully, making your fingerpicking sound lush and deep in large rooms.

General Maintenance and Care in the Australian Climate

Australia presents a challenging climate for all solid timber instruments. Sudden changes in humidity can cause irreversible damage if a guitar is neglected. Because Fenech guitars are built entirely from solid, premium timbers, they are highly sensitive to their environment.

• Humidity Maintenance: The golden rule for solid wood acoustics is to maintain a relative humidity between 45 percent and 55 percent. If you live in an arid region or run air conditioning and heaters constantly, the timber can dry out. This leads to sunken tops, low action that causes intense buzzing, and fret sprout. Always store your Fenech inside its custom hardshell case with a reliable soundhole humidification pack when you are not playing.

• Satin Finish Preservation: Many Fenech guitars feature a thin satin nitrocellulose finish. Never use aggressive abrasive polishes or automotive detailing waxes on these surfaces. Abrasive polishes will buff out the matte texture, creating ugly, shiny patches on the body. Simply use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the top, back, and sides after each use to clear away sweat and skin oils.

• Fretboard Conditioning: The ebony fingerboard should be conditioned once or twice a year using a tiny amount of pure hydrated lemon oil. Apply a few drops to a cloth, rub it into the wood to lift grime, and immediately buff it dry with a clean cloth to prevent oil from seeping under the frets.

Key Features Section

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where exactly are Fenech guitars built?

Every Fenech guitar is designed and handcrafted on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, by Aaron Fenech and his dedicated team of local luthiers.

2. What is modal tuning and why does it matter on a Fenech?

Modal tuning is a scientific approach to acoustic guitar building where the top and back plates are monitored for frequency response during construction. The luthiers shave the bracing and thickness the wood by hand until the timber vibrates perfectly, resulting in superior tonal balance and clarity.

3. Why does Fenech use Camphor Laurel for guitar building?

Fenech pioneered the use of Camphor Laurel because it is a highly sustainable local timber that possesses excellent acoustic density. It provides a unique, visually stunning grain pattern and a highly complex, warm tone that sits beautifully in studio recordings.

4. Can a beginner play a Fenech acoustic guitar?

While the slim neck profile and rolled edges make a Fenech exceptionally comfortable to play, these instruments are premium, bench made solid timber guitars. They are generally preferred by intermediate, advanced, and touring musicians who appreciate boutique craftsmanship.

5. How do I prevent feedback when playing my Fenech through a loud amplifier?

To minimise feedback on stage, stand slightly away from the amplifier speaker, keep the bass frequencies on your EQ balanced, and engage the phase cancellation switch on your built in preamp system.

Specialist Verdict

Fenech Guitars has successfully injected modern scientific methodology into the ancient art of lutherie. By using premium native Australian timbers alongside hand voicing techniques, they have created instruments that offer world class clarity, incredible physical comfort, and reliable stage performance. Keep your instrument properly humidified, wipe down the satin finish after use, and your Fenech will continue to mature, sounding richer and more resonant with every passing year.