DESMOND GUITARS          NEW SITE !

                                     2017  Prices

 

Currently I am building 2 basic guitar models, my "CUSTOM" model and my "ESPECIAL" model.  Both of these models are exceptional guitars and come in a variety of woods and options.  Both of these models are entirely handmade by myself.  I have no helpers.  I am not a factory type builder.  Each and every guitar that I make is unique and special.  In fact, no two guitars are exactly alike.

 

My "CUSTOM" model, which takes over 200 hours to make, start to finish, retails for between $9,000.00-$10,000.00, depending on the type of woods used as well as type of tuning machines and case options.  Every part of my "CUSTOM" model is made entirely by myself, including beautifully detailed and intricate handmade rosettes, purflings and custom marquetry.

 

My "ESPECIAL" model, which takes over 250 hours to make, start to finish, retails for between $10,000.00-$13,000.00, depending on the types of woods used as well as type of tuning machines and case options.  My "ESPECIAL" model represents the very best work that I am capable of doing, plain and simple.  Each and every "ESPECIAL" model is in fact very special.  I only make one or two "ESPECIAL" models each year, mainly due to the price that this guitar commands.

 

In the past, especially during the economic crash of 2008 and afterwards, I created my "PRODUCTION" model.  This model is almost entirely made by myself, with the exception of a Russian made rosette.  The bindings and purflings on this model are much less ornate.  Other that that, there is no difference between this model and my other two models above.  Although I have stopped making this "PRODUCTION" model, I am more than happy to make one for the customer who cannot afford my "CUSTOM or ESPECIAL" models.  Times are tough for most of us these days.  Although the economy is making a comeback, we are not yet entirely over the economic crisis which started in 2008.  My "PRODUCTION" model retails for between $7,000.00-$8,500.00, depending on the types of woods used as well as type of tuning machines and case options.

 

Please note that all of my guitars are finished in either French polish OR Oil Varnish, or a combination of the two finishes.  Your choice.  Please note also that there IS A DIFFERENCE IN SOUND between these two finishing options.  Call me and I will explain the differences in sound.  

As of 2017, I am finishing ALL of my guitars using the French polish technique.

 

                                                                       OPTIONS

My NEW "DOUBLE SIDED" guitars are offered at the high end of each price range.  Double sided guitars cost more money to make in labor and materials.  That said, I strongly suggest my customers considering the "DOUBLE SIDED" option.  These are more powerful and more focused guitars than my usual single sided guitars.  They are LOUDER, without losing the sweetness of sound that my single sided guitars offer.  Note that they are also HEAVIER instruments.  The backs on these guitars are thicker than normal as well.

 

SOUND PORTS:   I also offer all of my guitars with the Desmond "SOUND PORT" option.  This is an OVAL shaped hole about 2 inches from the heel on the bass side of the guitar.  The size of this oval hole is quite important.  After building many guitars with a sound port, I have come to the conclusion that having a sound port IS BETTER than not having a sound port!  The actual size of this oval shaped hole is very important!  Too large a sound port is bad, and too small a sound port is "not enough".  I have arrived at the size that I think works the best for the player and the audience.  In any event, SMALLER IS BETTER.  This SOUND PORT option is available at extra cost.  On single sided guitars, the side needs to be DOUBLED on the inside where the sound port will be located.  I do not use "VENEER" to do the reinforcing.  Rather I use ROSEWOOD at about 1.5mm's thick and I have to bend it to fit the inside of the guitar where the sound port is located.  I reinforce about 6 inches horizontally and the entire width of the interior side.  So, this sound port area is well reinforced!  After the single side is doubled in that area, I then ROUT out the oval shaped port very carefully

and finish accordingly.  As of 2017, I offer an ADJUSTABLE SLIDING DOOR sound port at extra cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUSTOM OPTIONS:  I also will incorporate any "reasonable" CUSTOM OPTIONS that the customer may want.  When making guitars with CUSTOM OPTIONS, the customer MUST be committed to purchasing the guitar that I am making for them.  A 50% non-refundable deposit is required on all guitars made with custom options.

 

SOUND:  I have come to a place where I can pretty much make a guitar sound THE WAY YOU WANT IT TO SOUND.  That said, I use a combination of different woods, different sound board thicknesses and different bracing patterns to achieve "different flavored guitars".  Think of guitars like they are different flavors of ice cream!  This is how I like to explain it to my customers.  All of my "ice cream" flavors are made from the very best ingredients and the highest quality ice cream available.  However, my ice cream comes in different high quality flavors.  You may like "VANILLA" AND I MY LIKE "CHOCOLATE".  One flavor is not better than the other flavor.  They are just different because of the ingredients used.  The same holds true for high end classical guitars.  I am capable of making different flavored guitars, yet they are all of a very high quality and they all sound beautiful in their own special way.  When I am not making a new guitar for a specific customer, I am able to make a guitar in the flavor that I wish!  This I thoroughly enjoy!  This is how I discover NEW FLAVORS in sound!  Sound is a subjective subject.  It's uniquely personal.  I am capable of making a guitar which will come close if not spot on to the sound that you have in mind.  A typical Desmond guitar has a clarity of sound that is difficult to describe.  No muddiness.  My trebles are usually very clear, slightly bright and slightly warm sounding.  My bass response is usually substantial, but not overpowering unless I want them to be.  I would say they are more Spanish sounding (BIG) than German (Hauser) sounding (MUTED).  You can hear and feel the bass response in my guitars.  Both treble and bass response are controlled by the thickness of the top and how much bracing the top has.  Less bracing, thinner top=more bass.  More bracing, thicker top=less bass.  On the treble side of things, more bracing usually makes for a better treble response.  The secret to good trebles is "controlling" the treble overtones.  You don't want to take them away!  But you do want to control them.  Too many overtones is distracting and biting!  Typically, my overall top thickness is between 2mm's-2.6mm's depending on the species of top wood and the stiffness of said piece of wood.   This number would be the measurement at the THICKEST part of the top.  My tops are "GRADUATED" individually according to the sound that I have in mind for that particular guitar.  It is not unusual for one of my tops to vary in thickness up to 1mm.  When you consider that a Desmond top is usually only 2mm's-2.6mm's, a 1mm difference between the thickest part and the thinnest part is quite a substantial difference!  The actual wood plays a role in how the guitars voice will sound.  But honestly, I can make a great sounding guitar from top wood that I can buy at Home Depot.  It really is WHAT YOU DO WITH THAT TOP WOOD, rather than the wood itself.  This is contrary to what some guitar makers believe!  Just my humble opinion. 

 

EXPERIMENTAL GUITARS:  I regularly build "EXPERIMENTAL" guitars.  This is how I learn and continue to unlock the doors of acoustics as they pertain to MY classical guitars.  Almost 100% of my experimental guitars are very successful instruments.  I have done most of my learning by making experimental guitars.  If you happen to purchase one of my experimental guitars, rest assured that you are buying a VERY SPECIAL instrument.  To some extent, the amount of thought and extra time that I put into these experimental guitars make them entirely unique and special.  These guitars are often trend setting for me!  They often lead me in a new direction and I consider them very important instruments.

 

Desmond Double Top Guitars:   I will be experimenting with partial Double Top guitars in this new year of 2017.  These will be of experimental nature.  Presently, I do not like the sound of Double Top guitars.  However, after some experimentation, I may change my opinion on that.  I have at least 3 different ideas for making a better sounding Double Top guitar.  That's all I can say at this point.  The truth will be in the sound of the completed new Desmond experimental Double Top guitars.  I will keep you posted as progress is made.  Robert B. Desmond,  January 12, 2017.