A 20” scale length Baritone inspired by the mainstream US West Coast stringed instruments of the early/mid 20th century - a scaled-up version of our California Style Tenor and reminiscent of a classic Martin OM guitar. These instruments have a ‘softwood’ soundboard (Spruce, Cedar or Redwood) that delivers a real classical guitar like sound with great dynamic range, sustain, resonance and volume. They respond to the lightest touch but deliver power, volume and projection when driven harder. We build these instruments with a variety of different wood options but with an increasing focus on the use of native UK species. Usually strung with a low G but available with a high G if desired.

I currently build California Style Baritones in three levels of embellishment to suit different budgets:

• The ‘Constellation’ - a star constellation of your choice inlaid on the rear lower bout, the planets of the solar system inlaid as fretboard markers, a custom ‘heart’ rosette in Thuya burl, Ebano binding with fine white/black coachlines and crowsfoot purfling an Ebony bridge, fretboard and headstock veneer and gorgeous Gotoh UK700 tuning machines in Gold with Ivoroid buttons.

• The ‘Diamond’ - tasteful but understated diamond fretboard markers, an oval ‘offset’ Elm burr rosette, Ebano binding with fine white/black coachlines, Ebony bridge, fretboard and headstock veneer and Gotoh UK700 tuning machines in Nickel with white buttons

• The ‘CSB’ - a more basic specification with selected wood options, mother-of-pearl dot markers, rosewood bindings and Rosewood or Leadwood bridge, fretboard and headstock veneer

Soundboard wood options include:

• Spruce (Alpine, Engelmann, Sitka and Adirondack)

• Giant Redwood (Wellingtonia)

• Pencil Cedar

Back and sides wood options include:

• Oregon Myrtle

• Figured English Walnut

• Indian Rosewood

• Khaya (‘African Mahogany’)

• Mahogany

• The Coalbrookdale (Shropshire) Yew

• Koa