Urlacher Guitars - Modern Dreadnought

[AH Acoustic]

Hi all,

Two weeks ago I spent a weekend on a road trip to meet Rebecca Urlacher, and try some guitar models in person to determine the best fit for an eventual commission.

She was generous with her time and knowledge, and her instruments speak for themselves.

To that point, I thought I would share a sound demo of one of her builds.

It is a Modern Dreadnought (Mod-D), this one from New Guinea Striped Ebony and Lutz Spruce.

Enjoy,

-a.h.

**
Phosphor Bronze:




80/20


**

[Al Mojo]

Really lovely, thanks for posting.

[Dustinfurlow]

That guitar blew me away at La Connor. Such a great sound when you dig in.

[mikealpine]

Sounds great! Any pictures?

[inc0herent]

There are some on her website here:

https://urlacherguitars.com/guitars/...n-dreadnought/

[AH Acoustic]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Sounds great! Any pictures?

Originally Posted by inc0herent

There are some on her website here:

https://urlacherguitars.com/guitars/...n-dreadnought/

Thanks both - photos added to top post.

-a.h.

[colins]

What a great looking guitar!

[Oska Burman]

Wow. Really great sounding instrument.

[mikealpine]

That is a great looking guitar!

[Jwills57]

Hi, AH Acoustic--Beautiful recordings. Just wondering, from an ergonomic perspective, how you found this guitar. It seems to be a big instrument but would you say it might be too big, too unwieldy over the long haul? I'm in the process of commissioning with luthier Oska Burman right now, and I'm torn between his Modified Dreadnought or his OM. I like a bigger guitar, but I'm getting older and wondering more about issues related to guitar size and playing comfort, issues which, honestly, I never considered 10 years ago. Oska's Modfied Dreadnought and Rebecca's Modern Dreadnought have almost exactly the same measurements, so I thought I'd solicit your opinion while the guitar is still fresh in your mind. Thanks and Best, Jack

[colins]

Originally Posted by Jwills57

Hi, AH Acoustic--Beautiful recordings. Just wondering, from an ergonomic perspective, how you found this guitar. It seems to be a big instrument but would you say it might be too big, too unwieldy over the long haul? I'm in the process of commissioning with luthier Oska Burman right now, and I'm torn between his Modified Dreadnought or his OM. I like a bigger guitar, but I'm getting older and wondering more about issues related to guitar size and playing comfort, issues which, honestly, I never considered 10 years ago. Oska's Modfied Dreadnought and Rebecca's Modern Dreadnought have almost exactly the same measurements, so I thought I'd solicit your opinion while the guitar is still fresh in your mind. Thanks and Best, Jack

Good question.
What I particularly liked about this guitar is the waist being more pronounced than on a “normal” dread. In addition to it looking nicer (IMHO) this should see it sitting lower if you play seated. For a custom build I also strongly recommend considering a shoulder bevel if, like me, you have issues with your right shoulder.

[AH Acoustic]

Originally Posted by Jwills57

Hi, AH Acoustic--Beautiful recordings. Just wondering, from an ergonomic perspective, how you found this guitar. I like a bigger guitar, but I'm getting older and wondering more about issues related to guitar size and playing comfort, issues which, honestly, I never considered 10 years ago...so I thought I'd solicit your opinion while the guitar is still fresh in your mind. Thanks and Best, Jack

Thank you for the compliment, Jack.

To your question:

I am adding to my original response, which is included below for context:

Update: In short, for my own personal case, I have zero concerns about long term comfort with Rebecca's Mod D. There are thoughtful design elements in her Mod D which make this the most comfortable large guitar I have ever played.

While I do play the Mod D seated, my preferred position is actually standing, with a strap. I have found this approach to drastically alleviate risk of posture or shoulder issues over the long run. Others use guitar supports, which function ergonomically as well -- however I have come to appreciate the freedom of being able to change position in the room as the mood strikes me.

My original response, which would be applicable to others fitting a guitar:

I wish I could give you a definitive answer, however fit is so personal that any comment that I make should fall secondary to your own personal experience. That said, I have these thoughts:

• I have also preferred larger guitars historically -- however was absolutely struck by the resonance and depth of Rebecca's Concert body example and her parlor guitars (of which I played 2), as well as her Mod D. Her mid- and small body instruments challenged my notions of how the various sizes could sound, built by capable hands.
  
• To be quite honest, my preference for the Mod-D in this case was likely a combination of preference for scale length and distinctive tone woods involved, rather than body size alone.
  
• Regarding choosing a body size - there truly is no substitute for holding the respective sizes, which is only one of the reasons I feel like the trip to meet Rebecca was so worthwhile. If you have any opportunity to try the models your builder is offering, that would be my best suggestion. Trips are fun, and educational.
  
• As has been mentioned, Rebecca's Mod D design adds some curves to the traditional dreadnought shape -- not only in the narrower waist, but also the progression of the curves from the tail block, as well of the shoulders from the neck heel.
  
• I would recommend you carefully consider your own personal reasons for preferring larger guitars, historically, and weigh those against your lingering concerns about fit.

-a.h.

[Jwills57]

Thanks, AH--I'm leaning now to Oska's OM model and having him make the body of each instrument a bit deeper. My favorite guitar is the Martin OOOO, with the top dimensions of a jumbo but the depth of roughly an OM. But I'm certain that Oska can coax a little extra horsepower out of his OM design. He's really an amazing craftsman, from what I can discern; I have been taken by all the pictures posted on his website of his meticulous building and aesthetic skills. Of course, there's no substitute for actually playing one of his guitars, but he's in Scotland and I'm in Ohio, so there's that. I'm extremely confidant, however, that I will be getting great guitars.

[AH Acoustic]

Top post revised for additional video recorded with 80/20 strings

-a.h.

[s2y]

Very cool. I was impressed with her Mod D at B.I.G. last year.