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I am wanting to make twin guitars for my twin daughters ages 9. They have been taking classical guitar lessons for about a year and a half and now I am confident that they are going to stick with it for a while. They are currently using a very low end 1/2 size Takamine brand guitar (almost a toy) but they need a good quality instrument in order to improve at this point. I want to build them myself and already have some beautifully figured Bubinga that I bought from Simon Faye a while back but can't find any good 3/4 size classical guitar plans. Anyone have any suggestions. I have done my detective work but I hope i didn't miss something completely obvious. As always any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Anthony

Hi Anthony,

Luthiers' Mercantile have a plan for a small (604 mm scale) Antonio de Torres guitar from 1888. It can be found on LMI's website under Classical guitar/Roy Courtnall. I got the plans to build a guitar for my grand daughter. She is still only 3 so I haven't started it as yet. Doug Ingram has built it though and there was a thread about it here on the OLF a number of months ago. You might try searching the forum for the thread and/or send a PM to Doug requesting info'.

Good luck,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I have thought of that, and thought long enough that my kids outgrew the idea... If I was doing it, I would start with the assumption that I was going to be on my own for the voicing anyway, since most plans do not even go into details to the extent of giving the average numbers. So I wouldn't be worrying about that. I would just design it off the scale length, and reduce other parts proportionally. There are going to be some things like the spacing of the tuners that can't be easily adjusted, but otherwise...

I don't know that the Torres plan is small enough. I have the Courtnall book, which is another source.

604mm is a good string length for that age group. If it's still too long (for the size of hand) the simple 'fix' is to use a capo on the 1st or even the 2nd fret. The capo can always be removed when the hand size allows. With the correct string gauge it can be tuned to standard 'E' or tuned to the Terz 'G'. There is nothing inherent in the design to suggest that it's a child's Guitar - it's an instrument that can see them through their adult life as well.
The Nut width does not have to be near the standard 50/52 mm classical width either. Many 19 th century Romantic Guitars have nut widths as narrow as 44mm's although 46mm might be a decent compromise.

Anthony,

Here is a picture of the small guitar (Torres SE117) made from the LMI/Roy Courtnall plans. This is the one built by Doug Ingram and I include it because he has not chimed in yet. It is the one on the left. The one in the middle is a regular size classical for comparison purposes.

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Oh Max! Give me a chance! I check in here pretty regularly, but you guys are so quick.

I really like the little Torres model guitar. The LMI/Courtnall plans are for the SE117. Torres used this, or slight variations of it, plantilla for numerous guitars and at different scale lengths. FE18 comes to mind.

What makes this guitar a real winner for kids is that it fits them very well and is still a serious guitar that adults are still attracted to and play well. They will never outgrow it! When they grow up it will be their "small" guitar, not their "children's" guitar.

This guitar has a lot of volume and punch and surprises everyone who picks it up to play. The one caveat that I would offer for this one is to get high tension strings or strings made for shorter scale instruments, to bet the most tone. The short scale results in a soft string, which young players may not notice except to just like how easy it is to play. I find this guitar really sings if I tune it up a semi tone, but that makes it difficult to play with other people.

BTW, the third guitar (on the right) is a Panormo copy. This one is another great candidate for a younger player. The 630mm scale and deeper body make for a "fuller" sound. This guitar is very appealing to everyone who has played it. This one is WRC over Ash, I'd really like to make a Spruce over Rosewood one.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
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I second, third, fourth or whatever the small Torres. It will be perfect for their size and is a great instrument to play daily. I also collect historic guitars and have Panormo and LaCote guitars with that shorter scale length and play them daily as stretches are easy and since my wife also plays we can do duets using a normal classical and the shorter length and the sound goes together well.

I bought my wife a Martin "Sting" number 5 which is around the same size that is tuned to "nashville tuning" a minor third higher and small guitars (that are not toys) are a blast.

Just be sure any teacher is onside. The guys I took guitar from weren't too fussed. But our local Suzuki place wants a specific instrument.