Roger Williams Guitars

Classical and Flamenco Guitar - Options

Those clients ordering a guitar directly from me can take advantage of many personal features which can be specified, or developed in the studio, to your preference.  A number of changes can be incorporated at no additional cost e.g. neck shape and widths.

Options at no additional cost

• Scale (String) Length - Any reasonable scale length can be built from 630mm to 660 mm, however I would warn against very short or long scale lengths as these can be very personal and can result in lower re-sale values.

• Neck and String spacing at nut and saddle - This varies by the type of guitar and your preferences but typically the nut width can be from 46mm to 54 mm and the saddle from 55mm to 60 mm with corresponding width at the body-join (normally 62 mm for classical/flamenco and 58mm for acoustic).  The normal classical/flamenco string-inset at the body join is 5mm at the high E and 4.5mm at the low E, less for acoustics.

• Neck shape and profile - I normally shape my necks into a comfortable "flattened C" shape, but you can choose whichever shape you want.  The neck (fingerboard) on classical and acoustic guitars carries a variable amount of relief (or up-bow with twist) to allow for the lowest possible string action without buzzing however the neck of my Flamenco can be setup with positive, negative or no relief, to your specification.

• Wedge-shaped body - for exceptional playing comfort (can also be requested on acoustic guitars)

• Left-handed Guitars - Any guitar can be supplied built and setup left-handed at no additional cost.

Decoration and Bindings

Many choices are available, look here or please contact me for availability

Choice of tone woods (Please enquire for cost and availability)

I can offer various top-quality, well-aged, figured timbers including English Walnut, Mahogany, Maple, Palo Escrito (Mexican Rosewood), Madagascar Rosewood (similar to Brazilian), Lacewood, Zebrano, Wenge or Cypress.  Brazilian Rosewood has an additional cost which can be c. £400 - 600 depending on quality and figure.

Alternative top quality soundboard woods are available from old stock including Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Engelmann Spruce or even your choice of hardwood if preferred.

Other Options at additional cost. (Please enquire)

• A Florentine cutaway or a stepped-shoulder can be incorporated in any model to improve access to the higher frets.

• Rodgers tuning machines can be supplied or other tuners from any quality manufacturer.

• Shell inlay of your choice can be added to decorate bindings and/or rosette.

Guitar pickups

My guitars can be supplied with your choice of pickup, microphone and pre-amp electronics.  However I do recommend certain combinations of product that seem to achieve the most natural amplified sound.  They do not in any way affect the normal acoustic sound and are very discretely installed.

In Classical and Flamenco guitars excellent results are obtainable with the B-Band transducer systems which seem to suit the characteristics of nylon strings particularly well.  They have to be correctly fitted for optimum performance and balance but the extra effort is well rewarded.  The B-Band system is used by such eminent players as John Williams.

Another good choice is from K&K sounds, with  quite amazing quality from a passive pickup unit.   K&K Sound pickups have received rave reviews on many enthusiasts websites.  I am now a UK stockist and recommended installer for K&K Systems.

My recommendation for nylon strings is the Pure Classic

I have many satisfied customers that will testify to these choices of pickup system.

For the best quality sound I strongly recommend external control and equalisation with a good quality mixer or preamp/control unit such as the Baggs Para Acoustic DI, the DTAR Solstice or Highlander unit, although input into a good quality acoustic amplifier is often quite adequate.