Handmade Guitars by Bob Gramann

The Classical
I am trying to find the secret of a great classical guitar.  So far, I've accomplished good and pretty good, but I'm not happy enough with the results to stop the quest.  Here are some of the guitars I've made on the journey.  If you're looking for a classical, come try them out.  Maybe one of them satisfies your quest.

Classical


32 classical
160 - Persimmon back and sides. Port Orford Cedar top.  EIR bridge, fingerboard (16" radius), and peghead veneer.  Black Walnut neck and binding.  Rubner tuners.  French polish finish. The bracing pattern is based on a 1923 Classical guitar by Santos Hernandez. 

This one is a bit louder and stronger than any of the classicals that I have built.  The stiffness to weight ratio of the Port Orford Cedar top is higher than Sitka Spruce or Western Red Cedar so it can be quite thin.  The resulting sound, while strong, isn't as warm as that of the Western Red Cedar top.

$3350

157- "The Colors"  Osage Orange back and sides. Port Orford Cedar top. Spanish Cedar neck.  EIR fingerboard (16" radius) and bridge.  Sycamore trim.  Gotoh tuners.  French polish finish. The bracing is an original diagonal design, kind of a half-lattice. The Port Orford Cedar is stronger and lighter than spruce.  This one is loud with tighter treble sound than the guitars to the right on this page.

$3150



138 - Osage Orange Back and Sides.  Cedar top, Spanish Cedar neck.  Macassar Ebony fingerboard.  EIR bridge.  Black Walnut trim.  Sloan tuners. French Polish finish.  The bracing pattern is based on a 1923 Classical guitar by Santos Hernandez.

I have been on the quest for a great sounding classical guitar for years.  I'm getting closer and closer.  This is the best so far.  The trebles are strong and penetrating, but the guitar still has a warm, full strum.  The action is low and quick.  It definitely has a strong voice.

$3350
141 - Another based on the 1923 classical by Santos Hernandez.  This one has all American woods--Osage Orange back and sides, fingerboard, and bridge, Black Cherry neck, Black Walnut trim.  The fingerboard has a 16" radius.  French polish finish.  Rubner tuners.  Brilliant trebles and it plays nicely.

$3350
32 - Engelmann top, East Indian Rosewood back and sides.  2" nut. It has modified fan bracing with a curved harmonic bar and 5 struts.  The sound is balanced and it plays well.  The finish is standard french polish.


$2000



Santos 1923 asymmetric pattern in #138.




Bob Gramann
122 Laurel Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

(540) 898-0611
bob@bobgramann.com

5/25/24