2018 Douglass Scott Classical Guitar

30 Comments

1. Bradford. I currently have 2 Cordoba C10’s. One Cedar, one Spruce, about right for my level. I do wish there was more sustain from the trebles. Both bases and trebles seem to have different levels of sustain and clarity depending which fret you’re on. Also hear a lack of ‘equalness’ between adjoining fretted strings. If these weren’t issues, might not be looking. Aesthetics aside, could you describe in a broad sense some of the main differences in sound quality of Scott Cedar vs Cordoba C10 Cedar? I also had a C10 Parlor like yours but found the sound too choked. Not finding a direct comparison out there. Your Scott in a 650/52 looks very appealing!

   • There is a massive price difference between a Scott guitar and the Cordoba C10. It’s so wide that any comparison is difficult and questionable to begin with. In general though, a high end luthier guitar is going to project better, be more balanced, have a more focused and refined tone, and have better responsiveness. Now, not all the qualities will always be better but in this comparison they are. But also keep in mind that as improvements or personal attention are given to guitars the price starts to sky rocket while the quality only goes up in small increments, but thus is the reality for owning a quality instrument that is also a work of art. I will email you to let you know what I mean by the price gap.

2. Thank you for taking the time to go over the details on why you like the guitar. I learned quite a bit. I’m new to classical guitars and just now appreciating the rich sound after hearing an artist play a Camps model at a street corner in Barcelona. So I’m now shopping online for something to start with. I appreciate your thoroughness and patience.

3. This looks like the perfect guitar, but price high for me, I have been looking at Kenny Hill short scale guitars online, but I’m not sure how they will be since I’m not able to try one. Any insight on the Kenny Hill New World guitars?

   • I have heard generally good things about Hill guitars, very similar to Cordobas but maybe a good step up. I haven’t tried one personally so I can’t verify the quality or playability.

4. Forgive the weird question, but at 7:06 in the video, is that a leaf blower in the background? Is that a thing in Victoria?

   • My old place in Victoria always had a leaf blower going, non-stop!

5. Hi Bradford, I am curious why you decided to go with 632mm scale length and not 635mm or 640mm? Did you use any measurements of your hands?

   It might be helpful to use carbon strings for any lack of volume due to smaller scale length. Not sure with this one as I haven’t tried them.

   • I’ve found that 640mm isn’t much of a difference to the scale length. Once it’s spaced across the frets we are only talking about less than a single mm per fret. Whereas, 630mm I can really feel. I’m note sure why it’s 632mm, that is just what Douglass Scott’s design ends up as for whatever reason.

6. Great guitar and playing ! What is the measurement of the lower bout ? Thanks

7. Hey Bradford. I love this video. I am a retired pediatrician. I have played guitar my whole life. I studied with Oscar Ghiglia in Aspen in 1978 and 1979. I got a Master degree in 1980 from Yale studying with Eliot Fisk, then went to medical school. BUT, why I love this video is that I am building guitars in my retirement. I love the description of what you like and why you like it. As a builder (though only on my second guitar) I am curious as to they effects of guitar dimensions to the ultimate sound. Most smaller body guitars sound a little boxy. Yours sounds rich and balanced to my ear. Anyway, I wish I could sit down with you to discuss these things. As I am in Texas and you must be in Canada (I didn’t look but assume so from your comments) that may be a bit difficult. Also, I have never played a 632 scale instrument – 640 is the smallest. That would be a treat.

   Anyway, thanks for the video, Your playing is beautiful – nice clean well enunciated voicing. Bravo

   Michael

   • Hi, you know, the guitar world is pretty small so if you’re interested in a guitar I’m sure you can contact the luthier directly. Anyway, feel free to email me if you have any questions etc.

8. Beautiful instrument! I am intrigued by your preferences – because, of course, we are all different. I have two wonderful guitars; one with a cedar top made by Shaun Newman in Devon, UK and one with a spruce top by O’Leary father and son in Ireland. Both have the same measurements : standard 650 length but with String width at nut: 47mm, String width at 12th: 55mm, String width at saddle: 63.5mm, Neck width at 12th…65mm. The extra width took all the tension out of my playing without in any way affecting stretches. Would never go back to conventional widths which for most lutentists are still based on Torres who was making instruments generally for smaller hands.

9. I have an very similar guitar, Doug Scott 2018 #96, 650mm scale. Great guitar! I think they are Alessi tuners though. Do you over put the cover over the soundport? Why did you go with Cedar? i also have cedar and to me it’s warmer. Thanks for the great website and videos.

   • Yes, I always cover my soundport unless I’m playing chamber music or on stage where it’s hard to hear myself. I would love to have a spruce as well but I’ve stuck with cedar for the playability.

10. You explained why sometimes you prefer to close the port. You have a beautiful “door” (that probably came with your new guitar?). Do you know if such a nice solution (magnet based or other) is offered somewhere. Or just from Douglass.

    • Lots of luthiers now offer sound ports as well as magnetic covers (my previous two guitars also had them).

11. Can I purchase the music to the piece played after Lagrima, sounded like Renaissance or Baroque.

    • Yes, it’s available here: https://wernerguitareditions.com/products/rondeau-pastorel-passepied-gig-kellner-guitar-pdf

12. Hello Bradford, my guitar don’t has an armrest. I cannot find any info or comment on separate armrest to aplicate on a guitar curvature. Could you provide info and advicing on such a device? Thanks, Jos from Holland

    • This armrest is built by the luthier who built my guitar at the time of building it. I really don’t have experience with external arm rests otherwise. There is this one but I’ve never tried it and don’t know anything about it: https://amzn.to/2CLREJd

      • I use the extra armrest from David Qualey: http://www.david-qualey.com/rapidcartpro/page-5/ It is a little bit expansive with 120€, but it is pure wood and not weighty like others. It is the best on the market.

13. Beautiful guitar! I am a small person, too, and much prefer smaller guitars – much more comfortable to play and so they’re easier to play for longer periods. I’ll check out his website.
    Quick question: what are the advantages of a 12-hole bridge? I haven’t seen this before. Thanks!

    • 12 hole bridges create a better angle and contact with the bridge/saddle and also make ties easier. I highly recommend.

      • Thanks!

14. Beautiful guitar Brad. I hope it offers you years of enjoyment

15. With the shorter scale do you get enough string tension with regular guitar strings

    • I think it is barely noticeable. That said, I’ve always wanted something between hard and normal tension so it’s good for me personally.

16. What is the nut width, out of curiosity?

    • I asked for slightly smaller than normal (very slightly). 51mm nut width; string spacing nut 42mm; string spacing saddle 59mm; neck slightly thinner than standard