This is a new instrument, an experiment with Millar to make a satin finish version of their popular custom-shop ziricote soprano. I had a couple of comments from customers who like satin finish instruments saying they liked the regular gloss model - but ‘if only it was in gloss’, so I asked about a couple being made. But when they’ve arrived, although they are beautiful, the ziricote grain’s intricacies are harder to see - and were clearly enhanced by the gloss.

I have written ‘one off’, but it’s not quite true, it’s a ‘two off’ situation really.

They sound sweet and warm, and very similar to the gloss version - clearly Millar’s gloss finish isn’t plastered on and is nice and thin and doesn’t greatly affect the tone. But visually, they don’t look quite as good - and they’re the same price virtually… so I think it was a good idea but one that ultimately didn’t work out. I probably should have realised there’s a reason they make the regular model with a gloss finish!

To read about the model in more detail, you can view the page for the gloss version elsewhere on my website. To do that, click here.

Please note - items in my special orders section can only be ordered online, and can't be tried in store. Also, they're available to UK customers only.