Created by JamesLister
I'm a classical guitar maker based in Sheffield, UK. I've been playing classical guitar for most of my life, and making them since 2000. Visit my webs... (more...)
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Classical Guitars
Everything you ever wanted to know about classical guitars, but we're afraid to ask! Well, perhaps not quite everything, but anything I've missed, feel free to make a suggestion, or ask a question via the Reader Feedback module below. If I don't know the answer myself, I might be able to find out. Try me!
Find information on guitar building, buying and selling and playing. Also resources for guitar makers, players and teachers, where to find quality guitars, accessories and teachers.
Soundboard strutting systems.
Next time - action, frets etc.
What are struts (braces)?The struts are lengths of wood glued to the inside of the top (soundboard), which act to support the top against the tension of the strings, and to control the overall sound that the guitar produces. They are usually made of the same material as the top, although often cedar top guitars will have spruce struts.
By far the most common pattern used for the strutting is the fan brace system, so called because the struts are arranged somewhat like the ribs of a fan. The struts all radiate from a single point, usually somewhere around the 12th fret, although this point can vary significantly, making the struts more (or less) parallel to each other.
Before Torres popularised the fan bracing system (contrary to popular myth, he did not invent it) most guitars used a simple "ladder" bracing system - with just a few struts running across the soundboard, i.e. perpendicular to the grain direction.
Although the majority of guitars still use a variation of the fan bracing system, there have been a number of alternatives tried over recent years. Perhaps one of the more radical looking systems was that developed by Michael Kasha and Richard Schneider (see picture). Dr. Kasha used his scientific training to develop an entirely new system of strutting, and Kasha and Schneider collaborated for many years on this design.
More recently, lattice bracing systems have become more popular, largely as a result of John Williams' patronage of Greg Smallman guitars. The lattice system employs a number of crossed struts, usually joined at the intersections, to form a "lattice". This form of strutting is very stiff, and can be made very light, and allows the top be made significantly thinner than on traditionally braced guitars. This can help to improve the efficiency of the instrument in generating sound, which can give the guitar more volume. Lattice-braced guitars also tend to have a distinctive tone (which is not to everyone's taste), but this is more a result of the lightness and stiffness of the top than the system of strutting itself.
Radial bracing systems have also been used, where each brace radiates out from the centre of the lower bout. Makers have experimented with other bracing systems, but at the moment variations on the fan bracing or lattice bracing systems are by far the most common.
Next time I'll say a bit about action, string height and frets.
Please let me know if you find this stuff useful/interesting via the Guestbook.
James
Classical Guitar Teachers
Add your own teacher - or vote them up (or down!)
If you're a classical guitar teacher - feel free to add yourself to this list.
Registry of Guitar Tutors. Find guitar teachers. Improve your playing.
For all guitar teachers, tutors and players. The R more...1 point
International Classical Guitar Contest - TRANSILVANIA Guitar Association
A non-profit professional association, an active f more...1 point
Guitar Teachers in the UK & Republic of Ireland - An extensive list
Another list of Guitar Teachers in the United King more...0 points
http://www.theclassicalguitar.co.uk/
Another list from the Classical Guitar Music Shop0 points
http://www.myspace.com/nickfletcherguitarist
MySpace music profile for Nick Fletcher (my own te more...0 points
Classical Guitar Resources
Luthiers, dealers, forums, websites and more...
- Handbuilt Classical Guitars by James Lister
- My own website. All you need to know about the classical and flamenco guitars I make, with sound samples and lots of images, and a feedback page with customers comments.
- Trilogy Guitars
- Trilogy Guitars Classical Guitars. Fine and rare classical guitars from around the world. We feature guitars by Hermann Hauser, Ignacio Fleta, Daniel Friederich, Miguel Rodriguez, Jose Romanillos, Mariano Tezanos and others. Trilogy also stock James Lister Guitars, and last time I visited, they had a very nice 1931 Hauser I.
- World Guitarist
- Daily News for the World Classical Guitar Community - A great resource with hundreds more links.
- Amber Rose Guitar Music
- Specialists in Guitar Music
Guitar teachers will discover a wealth of Tutors, Solo, Duo and Ensemble material at all levels. - Classical Guitar Forum
- The BEST Classical Guitar Forum on the web. Classical Guitar Sheet Music, forums, on-line guitar instruction, mp3 and videos - a resource center and meeting place for classical guitarists from around the world. Good fun too.
- Guitar Notes
- A UK based online resource for guitar music.
- International Guitar Foundation
- Festivals, workshops, concerts and recitals for all forms of guitar.
- Classical Guitar Blog
- Classical Guitar Blog and Resource Website by Alex Cohaniuc. A huge Collection of free classical guitar sheetmusic scores
- Music Stand Plus
- Music stand extender:
'This device has literally revolutionised my music practice I no longer have to constantly readjust the score to fit onto the music stand and everything I need for practising is to hand. Great idea, thanks.' - David and Maria Russell Rightprofit Organization
- Right Profit Association was born with the attempt to support humanitarian projects to help people in conditions of strong uneasiness, by means of initiatives of musical character.
- Bristol Spanish Guitar Centre
- Spanish Guitar Centre Bristol. Finest Choice of Sheet Music & Hand Made Instruments.
- Forsyth Music Shop, Manchester UK
- Lots of classical guitars for sale - and other classical instruments.
- Guitar Salon International: Classical Guitars & Flamenco Guitars
- Claimed to be the largest selection of classical guitars and flamenco guitars in the world. Have a look and see.
- Stafford Classical Guitar Centre
- Classical Guitar, Spanish Guitar, Flamenco Guitar, for beautiful English and Spanish guitars.
- Classical Guitar Sheet Music
- On these pages we offer free sheet music for classical flamenco and jazz guitar, in pdf format.
Classical guitarists
- Mark Ashford
- Mark Ashford's website - a great guitarist and musician.
- Ana Vidovic
- A nice site, recently updated, with some beautiful pictures and some good sound samples.
- Paul Galbraith
- Internationally renowned as a brilliant innovator of the classical guitar, Paul Galbraith has been working since the 1980s towards expanding the technical limits of his instrument, besides augmenting the quantity and quality of its repertoire.
- Karin Schaupp
- Karin Schaupp is an internationally renowned Classical Guitarist, whose albums include Dreams, Leyenda, Evocation, Soliloquy, Saffire, and Nostalgica. Rapidly becoming a favourite.
- Eden-Stell Guitar Duo
- Mark Eden and Christopher Stell.
"It is impossible to watch the Eden Stell Guitar Duo without being bowled over, not only by their natural abundance of virtuosic brilliance, but also by their gift for communication with their audience." - Gordon Dunn
- Gordon Dunn is a multi award-winning guitarist who has performed across Europe and at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in the UK. Gordon plays a James Lister Guitar (see his YouTube video below).
- David Leisner
- A versatile musician with a multi-faceted career as an electrifying performing artist, a distinguished composer, and a master teacher.
- Nick Fletcher
- MySpace page of my guitar teacher Nick Fletcher. His new CD "Six String Hymns" is out now, featuring one of my guitars. Nick plays a James Lister Guitar.
- Christopher Parkening
- Christopher Parkening is ranked as one of the world's preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. The Washington Post cited, he is "the leading guitar virtuoso of our day combining profound musical insight with complete technical mastery of his instrument"
- Scott Tennant
- Scott Tennant is a founding member of the Grammy®-winning ensemble L.A. Guitar Quartet, and is himself considered to be one of the world's top classical guitarists.
- William Kanengiser
- Home page of classical guitarist, instructor and author William Kanengiser of Los Angeles, California. Sample his audio MP3 recordings, DVD and VHS videos, CD albums, articles, comedy, and catch up on concert tour dates updated constantly.
- Amanda Cook
- Amanda Cook is one of the leading guitarists of her generation. She has performed and given master classes in the USA, South America and throughout Europe. In the UK her performances include the South Bank and the Wigmore Hall. Her highly acclaimed performances are always noted for their sensitive musicality, fluid technique, and ability to draw the audience in to her world.
- Carlo Marchione
- Carlo Marchione was born in Rome in 1964. By audiences, press and experts alike he is regarded as one of the best guitarists of the new generation.
- Los Angeles Guitar Quartet
- For nearly three decades, the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet has forged an unmatched reputation for making brilliant and compelling music - both on stage and in the studio - with little more than four acoustic guitars, an uncanny musical vocabulary and a boundless spirit of musical innovation and cross-cultural adventure.
Luthiers resources
Useful contacts for guitar makers - professional and amateur
- Guitar plans
- Classical guitar plans and much more - Hiscox cases, books, links, courses and more...
- David Dyke Luthiers Supplies
- UK based supplier of luthiery stuff.
- Graf Tuners
- Precision crafted tuners made by Jorg Graf, for classical guitars and other stringed instruments.
- Touchstone Tonewoods
- UK supplier of tonewoods, materials and parts for stringed instrument makers and repairers.
- Blake - Robson Tuning Machines
- Simple & Elegant Handcrated Tuning Machines for Classical and Acoustic Guitars. Based in the UK.
- Musical Instrument Makers Forum
- Online discussions and interactive courses on acoustic guitar building, electric guitar making, archtop guitar building, bass guitar building, guitar repair, violin making, dulcimer making, mandolin building and other types of lutherie.
- Luthiers Mercantile International
- US based supplier for all your luthiery needs.
- Kling-On Guitar Products
- Non-adhesive based protectors for your guitar.
- Madinter Trade
- Luthiers supplies based in Madrid, Spain.
- Newark College
- The only course in the UK offering specialist tuition in classical guitar making.
- Alessi tuning machines
- Very nice hand-built tuning machines from Italy.
- Hiscox Cases : Musical Instrument Case Manufacturers and Suppliers
- "Hiscox Cases provide the finest quality lightweight instrument protection."
- Guild of American Luthiers
- The Guild of American Luthiers is a non-profit educational membership organization, formed in 1972 to advance the craft of string instrument making and repair (lutherie), through a free exchange of information.
- Rodgers Tuning Machines
- Rodgers Tuning Machines are Manufacturers of precision hand built Tuning Machines or Machine Heads for all types of acoustic guitars.
- Just Strings
- Strings for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and other musical instruments. Name brands, singles, and bulk sets. Thousands of different sets available! We cater to musicians' needs.
- Stewart-MacDonald
- Stewart-MacDonald StewMac has supplies, parts, tools, books and videos for guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, instrument makers and repair shops worldwide.
- Oasis Humidifiers
- The Oasis guitar humidifier is leak proof, easy to refill, long-lasting, easy to insert or remove and soft enough not to ding your instrument if accidentally dropped.
Other sites that I like - for various reasons ...
A few of my favourite sites. Feel free to suggest your own favourites - guitar realted or otherwise.
http://www.thehungersite.com
The hunger site - just click the yellow button to more...3 points
4AD - Official Website
Official website for record label 4AD. A great sit more...1 point
Ultimate Guitar Advice
A collection of free guitar lessons and tips. Subm more...0 points
Granary-Guitars
Granary Guitars is a unique collection of playable more...0 points
A few books I recommend
Most of these books I have personal experience of and can recommend. One or two I don't have, but have been recommended to me by others. All available on Amazon.
Handmade classical guitars available on eBay
This module should only display higher quality (i.e. more expensive) classical guitars available on Ebay - but it doesn't always work! Please note, listing of these guitars does not imply any endorsement by me!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Reader Feedback
Please send in any useful contributions, or if you know a relevant site worth linking to...
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JamesLister
Hi Alex - I've added your website to the resources list. Nice site - perhaps you would like to add a link to my website www.jameslisterguitars.co.uk? Posted March 11, 2008 |
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transilvaniaguitar
Very useful resources! What about something on the types of wood used? Posted March 10, 2008 |
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myco
Hello sir, Posted February 02, 2008 |
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Christopher_Scott
Great lens on guitars. I love music! Posted December 07, 2007 |
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JamesLister
Hi Jim, More videos coming soon.... Posted December 06, 2007 |
YouTube Favourites
Vote your favourite video up the list!
One famous classical guitarist, and some lesser known ones, but all great players. These are just a few of my favourites, I'll add more soon. If you want to suggest a YouTube clip, you can do so via the Reader Feedback module.
Wikipedia
What Wikipedia has to say about classical guitars - a good introduction
A classical guitar, sometimes also called a Spanish guitar (referring to its origin, not repertoire) or nylon guitar, is a musical instrument from the family of musical instruments called chordophones. The classical guitar is characterized by nylon strings (the bass strings usually being of nylon wound with a thin metallic "thread") which are plucked by the guitarists fingers. The name classical guitar does not mean that only classical repertoire is performed on it (although classical music is a part of the instrument's core repertoire) - instead all kinds of music (classical, flamenco, jazz, etc.) can be and are performed on it.
