Without wanting to make too bad a judgment on a different guitar, against the Reid Vaultback, a normal price industry guitar would seems as it were the handicraft of a ten-year old child. Extraordinary, unique, far away from any mainstream and artistically valuable. The Vaultback Halo of DAR is a masterpiece of contemporary lutherie – without ifs and buts. Its unbelievable value as a musical instrument competes with its artistic quality. I am honoured to have been allowed to play a guitar that differs so much from anything known and which leaves such an impression. Considering how rare these creations are, how innovative, refined and special, I want to predict that they will also play a prominent role in the future.

Grand Gtrs Magazine

Realwood Headstock

Gear of The Year, Acoustic Guitar of the year 2003

Over £1,000 Category

Influenced by Renaissance-period lute construction, UK maker David Reid’s auditorium-size Vault Back is a masterpiece of handcrafted precision – and it’s all the more remarkable to consider that at the time of our review, Reid had yet to complete his formal luthier training.

The price tag is hefty, but amply justified by the work involved – around 400 hours – much of it spent painstakingly fashioning the sides and vaulted bacIk of multiple strips of solid Birdseye maple and pearwood. The top is high grade bearclaw Sitka spruce.

Cup For Academic Achievement

A work of art, then, but also a fine acoustic. The sound is crisp, bright and well-articulated with a smooth-edged follow-through, projecting to an almost dreadnought-like degree thanks partly to the back’s design.

Reid is one maker you simply must check out. Great things await!