Classical and Flamenco Guitars
I have two main patterns, or plantillas, that I use for my classical and flamenco guitars:
- A large concert model with a body length of 490 mm, lower bout width of 369 mm, upper bout width of 286 mm, and a total area of 1400 cm².
- A slightly smaller plantilla with a body length of 480 MM, lower bout - 360 mm, upper bout - 272 mm, and an area of 1330 cm².
Both of the standard models can be fitted with a scale length of 660 mm, 650 mm, or 640 mm, while the small model is best suited for a scale length of 630 or 620 mm. Custom scale lengths are also an option. Standard nut width is 53 mm with a string spread of 44 mm at the nut, and 57 mm at the saddle., but these are easily customized.
Concert Classical Guitar, Engelmann spruce top and 3-piece Pau Ferro back |
Concert Classical Guitar, Western Red Cedar top and Padauk back |
I have experimented with several bracing styles in the past, including the traditional Torres-style fan bracing. At present I tend to favour a hybrid X/lattice style bracing for the classical tops, and a five fan bracing pattern for flamencos. Both instruments have 3 lateral braces on the backs.
Cedar guitar with spruce hybrid X/lattice bracing | Spruce flamenco, ready to receive back, with 5 fan bracing |
Seven string custom cutaway, Douglas fir top |
Custom carved headstock |
Standard options available at no extra cost include:
- Choice of Englemann spruce, Western red cedar, Douglas fir, Western white pine, Yellow cedar, or SubAlpine Fir for the soundboard.
- Choice of East Indian rosewood, Pau Ferro, Padauk, Bubinga, Bigleaf maple, Paper birch, Mahogany, Walnut, or Cypress for back and sides. Other woods may be available.
- Choice of Spanish cedar, Mahogany, or Yellow Cedar for the neck wood.
- Wood bindings and purflings
- Carbon fibre stiffeners embedded in the neck and headstock.
- Schaller Hauser-style tuning machines
- Choice of scale length, nut width, and string spread, and general setup
- Choice of french polish, TruOil, or water based lacquer finishes.
- German spruce soundboard.
- Brazilian rosewood, or other rare special order back and side woods.
- Custom inlays or carvings on the headstock, neck or heel, or bridge.
- Cutaway body shape or more than 6 strings.
- Installed electronics/pickups
- Custom Calton case, or other heavy duty case.
- Your choice of tuning machines.