Breaking *all* the rules with a classical guitar...!

[Larry Pattis]

Not my usual DADGAD (this is in Open D, DADf#AD), but proof that pretty much anything is possible with a great guitar....



I was having some fun that day, let me tell you...

[TKT]

THAT WAS AWESOME!!!

[rmgjsps]

You just made my day.

To paraphrase an old pop lyric, "If [playin'] you is wrong, I don't wanna be right."

Inspiring!

[Skip Ellis]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

Not my usual DADGAD (this is in Open D, DADf#AD), but proof that pretty much anything is possible with a great guitar....



I was having some fun that day, let me tell you...

And a little bit of "Steel Guitar Rag" thrown in....very nice Larry!!

Have you gone 100% nylon or are you doing both?

[jdto]

That was great. Thanks for sharing.

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

And a little bit of "Steel Guitar Rag" thrown in....very nice Larry!!

Have you gone 100% nylon or are you doing both?

Yes...as recorded on my first album, "Random Chance".

I'm playing about 98% nylon (carbon fiber!) these days.

Thanks to *all* for the kind reception to this, and the kind words...

[Gitfiddlemann]

Hi Larry,
Nice! and thanks for sharing that. Nylon string guitars are so versatile. Even Segovia would have to agree!
Question on your guitar:
I immediately liked the tone of it when you just strummed an open chord before you started. I went to the luthier's website but he doesn't seem to offer a cutaway as an option. Is that something he did for you as a favor?
Also, what is the scale length, if I may ask.
Thank you!

[rick-slo]

Sacrilegious!!!

[Ct20]

Enjoyed this. Really glad you're still able to play.

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by AndreF

Hi Larry,
Nice! and thanks for sharing that. Nylon string guitars are so versatile. Even Segovia would have to agree!
Question on your guitar:
I immediately liked the tone of it when you just strummed an open chord before you started. I went to the luthier's website but he doesn't seem to offer a cutaway as an option. Is that something he did for you as a favor?
Also, what is the scale length, if I may ask.
Thank you!

Anders has been busy building, and *not* (ahem) updating his website!

He delivered a fabulous cutaway guitar to the California Guitar Quartet's Matt Greif a few of months ago (Cedar top/EIR double-sides, a build-option also not-mentioned on his website). He also had delivered a more-standard classical to Polish guitarist/conductor Chris Meis...so Anders is "getting up there" in his reputation. He is still quite affordable as far as the custom classical community goes, however. He has a bit of a waiting list (more than a year, I'm sure), but well-worth the wait. I have never seen any builder (steel or nylon) so well-educated on tone and in how his tops are built, then tested, and then voiced/re-voiced with Anders' skills. It's been an educational process for me to interact with him on this.

The guitar *I* have is a super-short scale length, 604mm/~23.75"...and while the guitar is superb, I can tell you that a standard scale guitar by Anders is a thing to be experienced.

As Anders is local to me, I got to try Matt Greif's cutaway...650mm, of course...the thing was simply massive sounding. Beautiful big sweet tones, and power like I have never before experienced on a classical guitar. Literally the best sounding guitar I have ever touched.

FYI, I was not interested in what many call a "crossover" instrument, beyond wanting the cutaway, which Anders will do for any client. I wanted standard classical specs, such as flat/no-radius fingerboard, a full classical nut-width, bridge-spacing, etc...just the short-scale and the cutaway were different.

My guitar is approaching 3 years old, now, and indeed was the first cutaway Anders had built...but he is a perfectionist in every way, and this guitar (including the execution of the cutaway) is indeed perfect.

One last thing about Anders; he is truly a renaissance-man. He plays a variety of guitar styles, and is a fully-trained classical guitarist (albeit not-into performing). His guitar/music skills amaze me every time I get to hear him play. He is also a former race-car driver. He is a car mechanic extraordinaire, with two old BMW M3 vehicles...one with an engine being worked on (by Anders!), and currently stored at my house.

Suffice it to say that Anders' talents freak me out. I feel lucky to have him as a friend, and also to have one of his superb guitars...


EDIT: "Chris Meis" is actually Krzysztof Meisinger, but he does use the former for a Facebook page. I think he has both names for Facebook pages, actually...

[Gitfiddlemann]

Larry,
Many thanks for the thorough response. I really appreciate it.

FYI, I was not interested in what many call a "crossover" instrument, beyond wanting the cutaway, which Anders will do for any client. I wanted standard classical specs, such as flat/no-radius fingerboard, a full classical nut-width, bridge-spacing, etc...just the short-scale and the cutaway were different.

This is exactly me, except that my preferred scale would be longer, 640mm or in that range.

I'm on a hunt, and have been for a while. I know the top wood will be cedar, and the body some kind of rosewood. It's just difficult to find the "correct" solution and/or craftsperson, and filter the good feedback through all the "hype". There's a lot about that Matt Grief guitar that seems so "right" (uh oh...feeling some pains).

So, this is good stuff.
Thanks again.

[Villamarzia]

I’m find myself always amazed by the wonderful effect that some bit of extra wine has on human creativity and lateral thinking! Keep going!

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by AndreF

Larry,
Many thanks for the thorough response. I really appreciate it.

This is exactly me, except that my preferred scale would be longer, 640mm or in that range.

I'm on a hunt, and have been for a while. I know the top wood will be cedar, and the body some kind of rosewood. It's just difficult to find the "correct" solution and/or craftsperson, and filter the good feedback through all the "hype". There's a lot about that Matt Grief guitar that seems so "right" (uh oh...feeling some pains).

So, this is good stuff.
Thanks again.

Plenty of hype everywhere.

I know for a fact, having played more than a 1/2 dozen of Anders' guitars that he is quite the real-deal.

Beyond *my* experience, it's not everyday that a concert classical guitarist and conductor flies from Poland to pick-up his guitar. The deal with Matt Greif is also a little crazy...I *wanted* that guitar in the worst way, scale length and all. I was hoping like hell that it was going to be sent-back (for *whatever* reason) so I could buy it...but I also knew it wasn't coming back...literally, and as I said, the finest guitar I have ever touched.

It's probably a good thing, because I think that in the long run the scale length would have been too much for my small hands and tendonitis issues.

I have a standing order with Anders for another guitar, and we have been chatting regularly about scale lengths and other issues.

Anders has built at least one other 604mm (my scale) guitar, and also a variety of the standard scale lengths, including 640mm, etc. Again, the guy is simply a brilliant artist and human being.

I didn't intend this to be an advertisement for Anders, but let me tell you, I trust him more than any builder I have ever worked with. Way more. That's a lot of trust.

[Cameleye]

Slide on a classical, too cool for school!
Thanks, Larry!

[Gitfiddlemann]

Larry, your comments, which I hold in high regard, are tempting me to contact him for a chat and explore a build.
I've been checking his site. His description of the (more modern?) Elliott (spruce) design and tonal qualities are very noteworthy, especially his emphasis on trebles It makes me curious as to where the Matt Greif cedar version fits into in this regard.
If you don't have any objections, I'd mention this forum exchange as the spark for my inquiry.
Thanks again.