What goes into every Rod Capper Concert Guitar?

Each Rod Capper Concert Guitar is constructed by the luthiers own hands, using a fusion of traditional methods and modern technology. Every material and feature that goes into a Rod Capper Concert Guitar has been carefully selected or designed to achieve the best possible results.

The unique design of a Rod Capper Concert Guitar draws inspiration from more traditional guitars, but has been carefully optimised through the placement of braces and struts, with the goal of reducing energy loss and maintaining sound output from the top of the guitar. This special design helps to give Rod Capper Concert Guitars their incredible volume and clarity.

The timbers used in Rod Capper Concert Guitars have been selected for their superior tonal and aesthetic properties. Solid timber is used throughout, and no laminations or synthetic materials are used in the guitar body.

For the tops, quarter sawn Spruce and Western Red Cedar have been selected for their lightness and strength.
Back and sides are Indian rosewood, traditionally used for its strength, tonal qualities and visual beauty.
In the neck, Honduras Mahogany or Matai (a native timber to New Zealand) are used for their strength.
Fingerboards are available in Ebony or Black Maire (also a New Zealand native), both very hard timbers.
Bridge and head veneer are Black Maire with African rosewood decoration. The saddle and nut are carved from traditional bone.
Bindings are Black Maire.
A mix of Mahogany, Matai, Cypress and Spruce are used for various components of the internal structure suited to their particular qualities.

All wood storage and construction is carried out under humidity controlled conditions to ensure the timber maintains long term stability.

A cross-linked polymer adhesive binds the guitar together. This particular adhesive has been selected for its long-term stability and superior bond strength, and together with sturdy construction, produce a guitar which will withstand the rigours of concert use and changes in climactic conditions.

In an accidental ‘experiment’, a Rod Capper Concert Guitar (which still belongs to the luthier) was dropped on its end from a height of 5 feet, onto a hard wooden floor. It survived without any detectable damage, and is still in daily use four years later. (However, we do not recommend you try this at home!)

The machine heads used on every Rod Capper Concert Guitar are made by Rubner of Germany. They are robustly crafted, gold plated heads with precision gearing and turned composite rollers. These have been selected for their durability and good looks, as well as providing precise tuning.

Rod Capper Concert Guitars have a standard scale length of 650mm (25 5/8") but this can be customised to suit your needs.

All guitars feature 20 frets on the first string.

Due to the special design and careful construction methods, sound quality is consistent between one guitar and the next, so you can be guaranteed that yours too will have the great quality sound that makes Rod Capper Concert Guitars so special.

After the construction is finished, the top is French polished using shellac in the traditional method, producing a beautiful lustre without muffling the sound. The rest of the guitar is grain filled before being wrapped in a specially developed polyurethane varnish. This is hand applied and rubbed back over many layers, producing a durable surface which maintains its flexibility and tone. This too is then French polished to produce a lasting lustre.

With the meticulous care, attention to detail and innovation that is hand crafted into each and every Rod Capper Concert Guitar, you can rest assured that when you buy one, you are not only getting a world-class Concert Guitar, but one that will withstand years of constant use and continue to sound and look beautiful, making a Rod Capper Concert Guitar truly a 'sound' investment.

Rod Capper Concert Guitars - handcrafted with passion in New Zealand