After waiting two years, she finally arrived last Friday; the wait has certainly been worth it. Even though the spruce soundboard has not fully developed, this guitar already slightly out-performs my 2004 cedar double top from the same builder, Larry Breslin, even though his latest classical design is more diminutive, with a tighter waist and smaller upper bout. I am shocked and extremely pleased!
The tapa produces excellent tonal clarity with a brilliant upper register, yet it creates tremendous depth in the bass register as well; projection is incredible. Can someone like me, whose ear tends to cedar and its warmth, actually be converted? Until now, I thought not, but I stand corrected before you. I'll play the cedar instrument for things I think require more overall warmth in all registers, but this spruce guitar is more versatile.
A full photo essay is available on my website:
www.trentonscott.com/deerheadSpruceDouble.shtml
I've included a few photos here as well:
Here are the specifications:
Overall Design: Classical, spruce double top
Commissioned: January, 2005
Delivery: January, 2007
Scale: 650mm
Soundboard/Tapa: Engelmann spruce, Wagner/Dammann double top Nomex design
Tapa Bracing: Engelmann spruce, adapted Rodriguez design
Back: Brazilian rosewood, air dried 40 years
Sides: Brazilian rosewood with cypress ribs
Neck: Cuban cedar, thin-line shape, 20mm thickness
Nut: 51mm, pre-ban elephant ivory
Fingerboard: Ebony, hidden fret tang design, 7th position side marker and 20th fret
Headstock: Cuban cedar with Brazilian rosewood and white laminate veneers
Tuning Machines: Nicolo Alessi "Leaves" with mother-of-pearl buttons
Binding: Ebony with maple trim
Rosette: Diamonds, contrasting rings and black outer rope
Bridge: East Indian rosewood, 12-hole tie block and mother-of-pearl inlay
Saddle: Pre-ban elephant ivory with easy-lift lip design
Finish: French polished top, Nitrocellulose lacquer back/sides
