La Gitana

Towards the end of 2023 I began the construction of a Flamenco guitar "La Gitana" Carrying on the theme of alternative timbers I have chosen English yew for the back and sides. Yew is a softwood just like cypress the more traditional choice of back and side wood associated with the world of flamenco guitar. Yew is the most dense of the softwoods and has a beautiful wavey figure. I've combined the yew with rosewood as the chocolate colours work well with the warm orange and yellows in the yew.

Strings on in the wood and the sound is vibrant and quick, very resonant and easy to play with the lower flamenco action.

Ebony head plate and fingerboard giving great contrast to the lighter colours of the body and neck.

Rosewood and yew are a beautiful combination.

Spruce soundboard with triangle rosette and rosewood bridge with a tie block made up of Spanish cedar, rosewood, bloodwood and corian protective strips.

A closer look at the rosette, I've tried to keep the design "flamenco".

Curly grain of the yew is mesmerizing, now for the French polish.

The finished guitar.

Continuing with the series of guitars using less conventional woods I am happy to present the first in the flamenco series: La Gitana. Keeping as close to tradition as I can I have selected European spruce for the top, this spruce is the usual timber employed in the manufacture of flamenco guitars. For the back and sides I have chosen English yew replacing the more usual selection of cypress. Like cypress yew is a softwood which is a relatively unique choice for back and sides, the norm being to use a hardwood such as rosewood. Yew is an interesting timber, it is the densest of the softwoods and displays a characterful grain and a beautiful golden colour, perfect in many ways for the guitar and very much in-keeping with the flamenco. The sound is rich and raspy with beautiful colour and punchy attack.

Soundboard - European Spruce

Back & Sides - English Yew w/Amazon Rosewood

Neck - Spanish Cedar

Fingerboard - Indian Ebony

Head Plate - Indian Ebony 

Bindings - Amazon Rosewood

Rosette - Triangles

Tuners - Waverly/Sloane

Finish -Shellac

Case - Hiscox Pro II

£6000.00

Price includes international shipping. 

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