Build Thread: G.R. Bear Guitars

05/03/2020

We have recently announced that we have added G.R.Bear guitars to our roster of acoustic luthiers. The first two guitars we have coming in from G.R.Bear guitars are one OM Model and a Grand OO.

Rye has provided us with some information about these guitars models, as well as photos of the start of the build.

Model: Grand 00

Frets to the body: 12
Back & Sides: Fiddleback Desert Leopardwood - Flindersia maculosa
Top: Engelmann Spruce - Picea engelmannii
Neck: Mahogany - Swietenia macrophylla
Fingerboard: Brigalow - Acacia harpophylla
Bridge: Padauk - Pterocarpus soyauxii
Rosette: Brigalow - Acacia harpophylla
Headstock Veneer: Brigalow - Acacia harpophylla
Binding: Rocklite Ebano
Purfling: Black dyed maple and Sycamore purfling throughout
Top Bracing: Paulownia Carbon Falcate bracing
Scale Length: 645mm
Nut Width: 46mm
String Spread: 57mm
Top Finish: Royal-Lac French polish
Neck, Back and Sides finish: UV cured Polyester
Tuners: Gotoh 510
Nut and Saddle: Bone
Frets: EVO Gold with Hemispherical fret ends

Grand 00

I voice the Grand 00 larger and lower than what some might expect from an instrument of its size. It has a full, rich and voluminous sound that has beautiful clarity and projection in the trebles and a bass that is not over powering but still very present and rich. With Falcate bracing these qualities all hold very evenly as you play up the neck offering the player great balance and dynamic range. The size of the instrument is slightly larger than a traditional Martin 00, very similar to a small classical guitar. It makes for a lovely intimate, finger style instrument that is comfortable on the couch or in front of an audience.

Model: OM

Frets to the Body: 14
Back & Sides: Fiddleback Tasmanian Blackwood - Acacia Melanoxylon
Top: Salvaged Western Red Cedar - Thuja plicata
Neck: Queensland Maple - Flindersia brayleyana
Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony - Diospyros celebica
Bridge: Padauk - Pterocarpus soyauxii
Rosette: Fiddleback Tasmanian Blackwood - Acacia Melanoxylon Headstock Macassar Ebony - Diospyros celebica
Binding: Rocklite Ebano
Purfling: Black dyed maple and Sycamore purfling throughout
Top Bracing: Paulownia Carbon Falcate bracing
Scale Length: 645mm
Nut Width: 46mm
String Spread: 57mm
Top Finish: Royal-Lac French polish
Neck, Back and Sides finish: UV cured Polyester
Tuners: Gotoh 510
Nut and Saddle: Bone
Frets: EVO Gold with Hemispherical fret ends

A modern take on the traditional OM. The Paulownia Carbon Falcate bracing and resonance tuning make this instrument an absolute power house with singing trebles and thundering basses. Amazing volume, sustain and projection that holds very evenly as you play up the neck, this instrument is extremely well suited to the finger style player and is responsive to the lightest touch, while not lacking headroom. It is a versatile instrument that in the right hands has the voice of a small orchestra.