The Guitars
Building guitars has also taught me about the players. Different styles demand different responses: a fingerstylist often needs quick attack and sustain; a singer-songwriter benefits from warmth and a forgiving midrange; a flatpicker requires clarity and punch. Listening to players and tailoring instruments to their needs is as important as mastering any tool or technique. its always a thrill to hear a player play a guitar i have made, While aesthetics are extremely important; I make these guitars to be played every day, When someone sits with one of my instruments and plays without fuss, I remember why I do this.
12 Fret Dread Style.
the 12-fret dreadnought is a lovely, boomy, balanced guitar.
The 12-fret’s slightly shorter scale and bridge position contribute to a warmer fundamental and a touch less bite than a 14-fret dreadnought.
Explain why you chose a particular top, back, and side combination—how a sitka or spruce top gives clarity and dynamic range, how rosewood or mahogany backs shape the bass and overtones—and how bracing pattern, soundboard thickness, and bridge placement work together to produce bloom without muddiness.
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Soft Shouldered Dread
The Soft Shoulder is a classic for a well-balanced sound — perfect for songwriters and accompaniment. Designed for clarity and comfort, the Soft Shoulder delivers warm mids, clear highs, and a rounded low end that sits beautifully in a mix. Its responsive neck and balanced tone make it ideal for fingerpicking, strummed chords, and vocal support. Whether you’re crafting intimate ballads or building a full arrangement, the Soft Shoulder helps your songwriting shine.
Key qualities:
Even, well-balanced tonal character that complements vocals
Comfortable playability for long writing and rehearsal sessions
Versatile enough for solo performance and ensemble settings
The Soft Shoulder is the instrument that helps you shape that idea into a song people want to hear.
12 Fret OOO Style.
It all begins with a
12-fret OOO style is a classic. The extra-deep bass response and slightly shorter neck shift the bridge further into the guitar’s belly, producing a beautifully balanced voice: rich low end, lively mids and clear trebles that sit well in a mix or beside a singer. That bridge placement increases top-plate movement where it matters most, giving more warmth and sustain without losing definition or note clarity.
Players who favour fingerstyle, blues or singer-songwriter work will notice:
Fuller, rounder bass that doesn’t swamp the midrange.
Quick, responsive attack from the shorter scale that makes fretting and string bends feel easier.
An even tonal spread across the strings, so melody lines and accompaniment both come through distinctly.
This design is ideal if you want a guitar that feels intimate and immediate, with a natural balance between power and articulation.
OOO Style .
Looking for the best all‑rounder for fingerpicking and balanced strumming? Meet the Reddhill Concert — our versatile favourite built to deliver clarity, warmth and responsiveness whether you’re arpeggiating delicate patterns or laying down full-bodied chords.
Why it works
Body size: Concert body hits a sweet spot — slightly smaller than a dreadnought, giving tight low end and quick note separation without losing midrange presence. That makes fingerpicked lines clear and articulate while strummed chords still sound full.
Top wood: Sitka spruce top gives balanced tone, strong projection and dynamic range. It responds well to light fingerstyle touch and can also handle harder strumming without sounding boxy.
Back & sides: Mahogany back and sides add warmth and focus to the midrange, which helps melodies sing through when fingerpicking and keeps strummed rhythm rich and controlled.
Neck and fingerboard: Slim, comfortable neck profile for fast fretting hand movement; a smooth, slightly rolled fingerboard radius makes hybrid techniques easy to switch between.
Bracing: Modern scalloped X-bracing (lightly scalloped) provides a lively, responsive top with balanced bass, clear mids and sparkling trebles — ideal for mixed playing styles.
Action and setup: Low-to-moderate factory action for ease of fingerstyle playing without fret buzz, yet enough string height to maintain strong strum dynamics.
Who it’s for
Players who alternate between thumb-led fingerstyle and full‑chord strumming within the same song.
Singer-songwriters wanting clarity for single-note accompaniment and body for vocal support.
Players who need a single, reliable guitar for home, studio and small gigs.
Tone character
Clear, articulate trebles for note definition.
Warm, present mids for melody and vocal complement.
Controlled lows that add depth without muddying fingerpicked passages.
Play tips
Use fingernail or fingerpick combinations to accent trebles while keeping a rounded bass.
For fuller strums, roll your wrist slightly and strike closer to the soundhole to add warmth; move toward the bridge for brighter attack.
Light compression or a touch of reverb in a live setup preserves dynamics without softening attack.
If you want personalised guidance, tell me your preferred string gauge, playing height and whether you favour more brightness or warmth — I’ll recommend a specific setup.
14 Fret Dread Style
The 14-fret Dreadnought-style is a boomer. I kept its loud, bold voice but made it easier to play and more versatile.
Purpose-first design: Built to push air and cut through a mix, with strong low end and clear mids so your playing carries.
Classic feel, modern tweaks: Same big-body look and presence, with updated bracing, neck shape, and materials for comfort and better playability.
Tone that speaks: Responds to light touch and hard strums, offering dynamics and harmonic richness so every phrase has character.
Built for performance: Projects on stage, records cleanly, and stays clear through any recording chain.
A canvas for creativity: Works across country, folk, rock, and singer-songwriter styles without stealing the show.
Keep your volume and presence, gain playability and nuance—so your music and message get heard.