Casarez SLR-380 ST — solid cedar and zingana classical guitar

Description

The Casarez SLR-380 ST owes much of its distinctive voice to the use of solid zingana for the back and sides. Often called zebrawood because of its dramatic striped grain, zingana is a dense African hardwood rarely found in traditional classical-guitar construction. While many instruments rely on rosewood, mahogany or walnut, this model takes a less conventional approach, producing a sound with exceptional bass presence, projection and depth.

A solid cedar soundboard gives the guitar a warm, expressive character from the first notes. Unlike spruce, which often needs a longer playing-in period before reaching its full potential, cedar responds quickly and offers a mature, colourful tone almost immediately. It reacts particularly well to a delicate touch, making subtle changes in articulation and dynamics easy to hear.

The combination of cedar and zingana is especially effective. Cedar brings warmth, softness and harmonic richness, while the dense back and sides add definition and stability to the lower register. As a result, the bass remains full and controlled rather than loose or blurred. Quiet passages retain weight and presence, while stronger playing produces power without causing the sound to lose clarity.

Players particularly appreciate the SLR-380 ST for its impressive balance between warmth and authority. The treble has a smooth, lyrical quality, the middle register remains clear and expressive, and the bass carries with confidence across the room. This tonal balance makes the guitar suitable not only for solo classical repertoire, but also for ensemble work, chamber music and professional recording.

Another strength of this model is its dynamic range. The guitar responds naturally to small changes in the right hand, allowing the player to move from intimate, delicate phrasing to a much broader concert sound. Notes remain well separated in chords and complex passages, while sustained tones develop with richness and colour.

The SLR-380 ST is also valued for its projection. It does not simply sound loud close to the player; its tone has enough focus and carrying power to remain present at a greater distance. This is particularly important for advanced musicians who need the bass line, inner voices and melodic details to remain audible in a concert hall or alongside other instruments.

Its appearance is just as individual as its sound. The contrasting light and dark stripes of zingana create a striking natural pattern across the back and sides. Because the grain varies from one piece of wood to another, every guitar has its own visual identity. The instrument is completed with a solid mahogany neck and decorative gold-plated tuning machines, giving it an elegant and refined finish.

According to the manufacturer, the Casarez SLR-380 ST is handcrafted by a small team of luthiers in a private Spanish workshop. The instrument is described as being made from solid tonewoods throughout, without laminate in its main structural components. As Casarez is an exclusive brand with limited independent catalogue documentation, we present the construction details according to the manufacturer’s declaration. What we can confirm from the instruments inspected by us is their high standard of workmanship, attractive wood selection and carefully executed finish.

This model is designed for experienced and concert-level guitarists seeking a classical guitar with substantial bass response, expressive cedar warmth and strong projection. It is an excellent choice for solo repertoire in which the lower voices need to remain clearly defined, for ensemble performances and for studio work, where a weak or shallow bass register can quickly become noticeable.

At Federmeier, we believe the Casarez SLR-380 ST offers a particularly attractive combination of uncommon tonewoods, professional playing qualities and individual visual character. We currently offer this model on favourable terms, making it a compelling option for musicians looking for a concert-level instrument without paying solely for a famous name on the headstock.

Contact the Federmeier store for current availability and our latest offer. We will also be happy to help you compare the SLR-380 ST with other Casarez models and choose the instrument that best suits your playing style, repertoire and preferred tonal character.

Players who favour a faster, tighter and drier response may also consider the mahogany-bodied Casarez SLR-50 or SLR-90. Those seeking greater depth, stronger bass projection and a more expansive sound will find the SLR-380 ST the most advanced choice within the SLR series.

Specification