NGD / Sound samples added

[El Conquistador]

I have been getting a little more into Brazilian music lately and was thinking I needed a nylon string guitar to really play it well. Being a steel string guy, most of the classical guitars I tried were just not comfortable to play with their 2-2.25" nuts.

Then through a friend, I discovered a local builder named Dave Philp of Joel Austin guitars, https://www.joelaustinguitars.com/. I was able to play a couple of his instruments and fell in love. I loved the huge tone, playability, and cool aesthetic Dave has. We talked commission, woods etc., then price. I was shocked at how little he charged.

Dave lives in the foothills of the Sierras and has access to Giant Sequoia wood that washed down the river a couple of years ago. This is truly Primo Tonewood. He then showed me some bastogne walnut B&S set that he had secured from a local orchard and that, as they say, was that.

So:
Giant Sequoia Top
Bastogne walnut B&S
Sapelle neck
Ebony bridge and fingerboard
Manzanita accents.

Here is the result:













Mmmmmm., Giant Sequoia



This guitar is a cannon. It will blow you down if you are standing in front of it. Yet, the tone is very sweet. They say redwood is cedar on steroids. I say, giant sequoia is redwood on steroids. And it plays like butter. And it rings for a full 10 seconds, I know, I timed it. I

And, personally, I love all the design elements. Every classical guitar I looked at looked the same whether it was $250 or $5k. This guitar is distinctive looking and I love it.

It is just a joy to play and I am afraid my steel string guitars are feeling pretty neglected these last couple of days.


Steve

P.S. Up 'till now, Dave has been just building for local clients, so, as he is becoming discovered, I am guessing his pricing will go up.

[justonwo]

Very cool, Steve! Thanks for sharing!

[Tube Sound]

Congrats Steve, beautiful guitar. An amazing choice of woods. The walnut and manzanita are beautiful. Love the back. Any idea how much the various offsets and tone holes affect the tone? Wow, very cool guitar.

TS

[s2y]

Love the off-kilter symmetry.

[Jim Owen]

Congrats. That’s a real eye catcher.

[HeyMikey]

That is simply killer cool - from your choice of woods to the unique design. Wowzer!

[pgilmor]

All I can say is: Wow!!

Curious as to how wide you went at the nut and saddle?

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Tube Sound

Any idea how much the various offsets and tone holes affect the tone? Wow, very cool guitar.
TS

This thing is LOUD. I am guessing the sound hole is bigger than a normal classical and that really helps. The sound port, being on the lower bout, really produces a very slight stereo effect.

My guess that the tone is a result of the magnificent piece of Giant Redwood. It is very light AND very stiff.

Steve

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by pgilmor

All I can say is: Wow!!

Curious as to how wide you went at the nut and saddle?

I went with 1 7/8" nut and 2.25" saddle. It is very comfortable to play.

Steve

[HOF dad]

That is the best looking "classical" I've ever seen....anything but.
Great find!

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by s2y

Love the off-kilter symmetry.

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

Congrats. That’s a real eye catcher.

Originally Posted by HeyMikey

That is simply killer cool - from your choice of woods to the unique design. Wowzer!

Originally Posted by HOF dad

That is the best looking "classical" I've ever seen....anything but.
Great find!

Thanks guys. I am extremely happy with this guitar. As primarily a steel string player, this just fits so nice and snuggly into my herd. And, I am really enjoying the nylon strings experience.

Steve

[marty bradbury]

Beautiful guitar. Enjoy!

[Rhythmdoctor]

A++, dude. She’s gorgeous! Wait, is it a he or a she?

[Beakybird]

Pablo Picasso would give your luthier two thumbs up. Really cool.

[BrunoBlack]

Now that’s an interesting guitar, congratulations & enjoy.