Blanchard ClassiCool Nylon, Bearclaw Italian Spruce & Honduran Rosewood

Mark Blanchard has been designing and building his own guitars for nearly 30 years, crafting each one individually from start to finish. His lineup of guitars is extensive, from his wide array of acoustic flattops (all with evocative tree-themed names!) to his archtops to his nylon strings. It's no surprise then that among them he has a crossover nylon, dubbed the "ClassiCool". With a modern body shape, narrow neck and radiused fingerboard, steel-string players get the playability and feel they're accustomed to, with the sweet, mellow tones of a classical. All the tonewoods used on this particular model are at least 20 years old. A beautiful bearclaw Italian spruce top is paired with less common Honduran rosewood, for an even, articulate voice that has just a bit of bite with the right attack. On the tonal spectrum of traditional classical to the most modern crossover, this one sits a little left of center. But deluxe additions like a soundport and EVO frets make it a thoroughly contemporary playing experience.