{"product_id":"carmen-minarik-lotus-orange-burst-early-korean-production-serial-no-000022","title":"Carmen! - Minarik Lotus | Orange Burst | Early Korean Production | Serial No. 000022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeet Carmen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinarik Lotus | Orange Burst | Early Korean Production | Serial No. 000022\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdoption Fee: £495\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHave you ever admired the wonderfully unconventional designs of B.C. Rich, but wished for something with a slightly more elegant approach to standing out from the crowd?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAllow us to introduce Carmen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe’s a Minarik Lotus, and she’s rather extraordinary.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinarik guitars were created by designer Marc Minarik, whose early involvement with B.C. Rich and association with Bernie Rico helped shape his interest in instruments that challenged conventional guitar design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe resulting guitars combined striking visual identities with familiar, practical construction, creating instruments that were as distinctive to look at as they were enjoyable to play.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd Carmen is a particularly beautiful example.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer spectacular Orange Burst finish shifts between glowing amber, golden honey and rich copper, highlighting the wonderfully figured quilted maple top beneath.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe distinctive Lotus body takes inspiration from the familiar single-cutaway silhouette, transforming it with flowing contours and a dramatically sculpted upper horn. Elegant contrasting binding outlines the shape, while gold hardware provides a beautifully coordinated finishing touch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is an instrument that looks equally at home on stage or displayed as a piece of art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer set-neck construction is complemented by a beautifully finished mahogany back and neck, while the bound fingerboard features delicate decorative inlays that continue the floral theme.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe black headstock carries Minarik’s distinctive emblem and an intricate pearlescent lotus flower inlay, accompanied by gold machine heads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarmen is fitted with two humbucking pickups, providing a versatile selection of warm clean tones and fuller, more powerful sounds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA three-way pickup selector and four volume and tone controls allow straightforward adjustment of her sound, while the Tune-o-matic-style bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide a familiar, reliable playing arrangement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Particularly Early Example\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of Carmen’s most interesting features is her serial number.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStamped into the rear of her headstock is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e000022\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur research indicates that Carmen belongs to the earliest period of Korean Minarik production, making her a particularly early example of the Lotus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinarik guitars are relatively uncommon in the UK, and early Korean examples are especially interesting to enthusiasts of unusual and discontinued instruments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough her exact manufacturing date has not been independently established, her low serial number and early-production characteristics make her an appealing example of the company’s history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition and Restoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarmen presents beautifully, with her spectacular figured top and Orange Burst finish remaining the centrepiece of the instrument.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe has some cosmetic signs of previous use, particularly to the rear, consistent with a pre-owned guitar. Please examine the photographs for details.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs with every Stray, Carmen has received our comprehensive workshop treatment, including fret levelling, crowning and polishing, electronics cleaning and a full professional setup.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer action and intonation have been carefully adjusted to ensure she’s ready for her next owner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Very Special Stray\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat makes Carmen so appealing is her individuality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe’s not simply another variation on a familiar guitar design. From her flowing Lotus body and beautifully figured top to her ornate headstock detailing and unusual early-production history, she has a character entirely her own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor players and collectors who appreciate distinctive instruments, beautiful finishes and something a little outside the ordinary, Carmen offers a wonderful opportunity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarmen is available for adoption at £495.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProfessionally serviced, carefully prepared and ready for her next chapter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Stray Chord\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRescue • Restore • Rehome\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery Stray deserves a second chance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven the ones that appear to have escaped from an art gallery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Stray Chord","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59329158414600,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1059\/2829\/4664\/files\/IMG_9305.jpg?v=1793645886","url":"https:\/\/thestraychord.com\/products\/carmen-minarik-lotus-orange-burst-early-korean-production-serial-no-000022","provider":"The Stray Chord","version":"1.0","type":"link"}