#166, natural top, with plush lined hard shell case
Modern Parlor guitars are based on the small-bodied instruments of the
19th century played only on Sundays, after church. Of course the
difference is that those instruments were made to be played with gut strings,
braced extremely lightly and when they are strung with steel strings they fold
in upon themselves like a frightened bivalve, much to the chagrin of their
owners. This, then, is a Parlor for the modern player. It is, first of all,
beautiful beyond words having an Adirondack
“Red” Spruce top tinted with a yellow-orange hue much as a guitar that was 100
years old might have today. The top and the soundhole are bordered in
checkerboard marquetry made of maple and black fiber while its top, back, end
graft, fingerboard and headstock are protected by grained ivoroid. The black,
polished ebony-veneered headstock is provisioned with squared slots and Waverly
open-gear tuners with nickel-plated oval buttons. The first fret measures 1
13/16th” at the nut and the string spacing at the bridge saddle is a
most generous 2 5/16th”. The soundhole is bound in grained ivoroid;
the bridge is, itself, ebony with a long bone saddle and the bridge pins are
bone while the end pin is ebony. The back and sides are built from select,
well-quartered mahogany. The body shape is that of a Washburn
turn-of-the-century model. This guitar, like the other two David Flammang
masterpieces we have obtained from the builder and offer you on our highest
pedestal, are braced with Adirondack.
Internally this is voiced (scalloped-braced) like a Martin parlor – and remains
loyal to that ideal in its bracing weight and dimensions - that being an X brace
with one tone bar and a finger-brace on each side. It has just three back
braces to allow for flexibility. Lastly its fingerboard is tastefully inlaid
with four mother of pearl dotmarkers of equal size with seven black side dots in
6 positions on the bass side. Dedicated numerologists may want to note that the
fingerboard dots are 4mm in diameter. We can tell you that this diminutive
guitar, measuring just 13 1/8” across the lower bout with a 24.9” scale length
produces a level and quality of sound that surpasses and exceeds in scope and
salubrious spirit everything you have been led to believe about parlor
guitars. If your mind needs exploding, come visit our showroom and try this
little one out.
Our Discount Price is $4,743.00 and Our Cash Discount Price is $4,600.00.
Additional Photos (click for expanded view)
