Luthier
Taran Guitars
- Luthier
- Rory Dowling
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
- Founded
- 2007
Set up by Rory Dowling in 2007, Taran Guitars quickly became synonymous with high-quality instruments played by amazing musicians, such as Martin Simpson, and guitar players throughout Britain and beyond.
With over 14 years' experience as a luthier, and a first class degree in furniture design and craftsmanship, Rory has a deep understanding and experience of both wood and lutherie process. This has led to stunning and innovative guitars, using the finest materials which have been hand sourced out over the years.
“I am humbled that people ask me to make instruments of their dreams that they can express their music on.”
With a love for the outdoors and the gorgeous Scottish countryside, Rory takes inspiration from his surroundings and truly makes the most of what nature has to offer. With every model named after a scottish mountain, Taran guitars encapsulate all the beauty of the natural world, whilst using passion, knowledge, utmost attention to detail and the highest quality craftsmanship to make sensational guitars.
The word "Taran" means 'thunder' in Scottish Gaelic, and it's safe to say these booming guitars live up to the mighty name.
Working with the TNAG team and their customers over the last two years has been one of my career highlights so far. Their care and attention to get every detail correct means that we create instruments unique to the customer. This philosophy is synonymous with Taran Guitars.
The Guitars
Rory currently offers 4 models, find out more below.
Models
The Taran
The Taran is the smallest of the range. Just slightly smaller than OM, the Taran is a beautifully intimate instrument. Predominately a finger style instrument and while small in body size, its voice is big, bell-like and powerful even to the lightest touch.
*Please note, the specifications provided below are the standard specs included in the base price. Specifications are customizable upon request*
Dimensions
- Upper bout width/depth
- 265mm / 76mm
- Lower bout width/depth
- 382mm/80mm
- Depth at tail & neck
- 113mm/85mm
- Length
- 480mm
- Waist 200mm
- Waist 200mm
Standard specifications
- Soundboard
- Swiss, Italian or German Spruce
- Back & Sides
- Indian Rosewood, Rippled Maple, European Walnut or Mahogany
- Neck
- Old Growth Reclaimed Brazilian Mahogany
- Neck Profile
- Slim C negative taper
- Nut material
- Bone
- Peg head Veneer
- Same as back & sides
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Rosette
- 3 ring hot sand faded Bur Elm
- Purfling
- Choice of coloured vebeer
- Body Binding
- Ebano with Double Black & White pin side purfling
- Bridge
- Hand-carved un FSC African Blackwood
Tirga Beag
The Tirga Beag is larger than OM in width and depth but not in length, making it feel very compact and comfortable for its size. The Tirga Beag is designed with volume and headroom in mind enabling it to be heard in noisy sessions, but with a full rich tone perfect for smaller audiences and solo playing. It is perfect for flat picking and accompaniment with good separation between strong clear bass and thick trebles.
*Please note, the specifications provided below are the standard specs included in the base price. Specifications are customizable upon request*
Dimensions
- Upper Bout Width/Depth
- 285mm/82mm
- Lower Bout Width/Depth
- 402mm/90mm
- Depth at Tail & Neck
- 118mm/90mm
- Length
- 495mm
- Waist
- 205mm
Standard specifications
- Soundboard
- Swiss, Italian or German Spruce
- Back & Sides
- Indian Rosewood, Rippled Maple, European Walnut or Mahogany
- Neck
- Old Growth Reclaimed Brazilian Mahogany
- Neck Profile
- Slim C negative taper
- Nut material
- Bone
- Peg head Veneer
- Same as back & sides
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Rosette
- 3 ring hot sand faded Bur Elm
- Purfling
- Choice of coloured vebeer
- Body Binding
- Ebano with Double Black & White pin side purfling
- Bridge
- Hand-carved un FSC African Blackwood
- Neck Join
- 14 Fret
- Nut Width
- 45mm
- String Spacing
- 59mm
Rory's notes
Tirga Beag, pronounced ‘Chigora Beg’ is the little sister of Harris’s second highest peak. She faces north east looking out over the forgotten ridges of North Harris and on to the plains of Lewis.
Tirga Mhor
The Tirga Mhor is designed with with an open voice enabled by the 12th fret bridge position with lots of 'spit' with its powerful attack. As with its sister model the Tirga Beag the Mhor has good separation across a very dynamic range.
*Please note, the specifications provided below are the standard specs included in the base price. Specifications are customizable upon request*
Dimensions
- Upper Bout Width/Depth
- 285mm / 82mm
- Lower Bout Width/Depth
- 402mm / 85mm
- Depth at Tail & Neck
- 122mm / 90mm
- Length
- 510mm
- Waist
- 210mm
Standard specifications
- Soundboard
- Swiss, Italian or German Spruce
- Back & Sides
- Indian Rosewood, Rippled Maple, European Walnut or Mahogany
- Neck
- Old Growth Reclaimed Brazilian Mahogany
- Neck Profile
- Slim C negative taper
- Nut material
- Bone
- Peg head Veneer
- Same as back & sides
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Rosette
- 3 ring hot sand faded Bur Elm
- Purfling
- Choice of coloured vebeer
- Body Binding
- Ebano with Double Black & White pin side purfling
- Bridge
- Hand-carved un FSC African Blackwood
- Nut width
- 45mm
- String Spacing
- 645mm
Rory's notes
Tirga Mhor, pronounced ‘Chigora Mor’ is Harris’s second highest peak. She faces north east looking out over the forgotten ridges of North Harris and on to the plains of Lewis.
Oreval
The Oreval is based on the acclaimed Tirga Beag Mk II shape and has a classic Taran style. Stripped back detailing gives it an austere, clean and striking look. Its own unique bracing pattern and greater depth give the Oreval a big voice, perfect for noisy sessions.
*Please note, the specifications provided below are the standard specs included in the base price. Specifications are customizable upon request*
Dimensions
- Upper Bout Width/Depth
- 290mm/82mm
- Lower Bout Width/depth
- 415mm/90mm
- Depth at Tail & Neck
- 125mm / 90mm
- Length
- 495mm
- Waist
- 230mm
Standard specifications
- Soundboard
- Swiss, Italian or German Spruce
- Back & Sides
- Indian Rosewood, Rippled Maple, European Walnut or Mahogany
- Neck
- Old Growth Reclaimed Brazilian Mahogany
- Neck Profile
- Slim C negative taper
- Nut material
- Bone
- Peg head Veneer
- Same as back & sides
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Rosette
- 3 ring hot sand faded Bur Elm
- Purfling
- Choice of coloured vebeer
- Body Binding
- Ebano with Double Black & White pin side purfling
- Bridge
- Hand-carved un FSC African Blackwood
- Nut Width
- 45mm
- Scale Length
- 645mm
- String Spacing
- 59mm
Rory's notes
Oreval is one of the furthest west hills in Harris. Once, seated on the west side of Oreval in late October, we witnessed the most exquisite setting of the sun between the sheer cliffs of Stac an Armin and Hirta, St Kilda.