G.R. Bear SP 12-Fret, Maple, African Blackwood & Engelmann Spruce

G.R. Bear's SP, or Super Parlor, is a new addition to his roster of steel string guitars. Given the Vancouver-based luthier's incredible work with his modern interpretations of the 00 and OM, we knew we'd love his take on the intimate small-bodied guitar. There's plenty of size variation in the parlor world, but as you'd expect from one called a "Super Parlor", the SP is more comparable in size to a Martin 0 or Size 1 than the slender Collings Parlor, clocking in at a comfortable 13-1/8" wide in the lower bout. It may be small, but by using unusual techniques like carbon-reinforced falcate bracing, Rye manages to get an outsized voice out of this guitar. Going against the grain of using the same wood for both back and sides, this SP features the visually striking juxtaposition of African blackwood sides with a birdseye maple back. Engelmann spruce's soft, warm tone is rendered more articulate and well-defined by the unusual blend of resonant blackwood and bright, transparent maple. Truly, this guitar just has its own thing going on.

Rye includes a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner of his guitars.