The Rod Capper Concert Guitar
We believe that a world-class Concert Guitar must excel in several key qualities, including the following:
- Projection
- Tonal Quality
- Balanced Sound
- Ease of Play (Action, Responsiveness)
- Durability
- Good Looks
This is why every material, method and feature that goes into a Rod Capper Concert Guitar has been carefully selected or designed to achieve the best possible results against these criteria.
True Craftsmanship
Each Rod Capper Concert Guitar is constructed by the luthiers own hands, using a fusion of traditional methods and modern technology.
Unique Design
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.
Carefully Selected Materials
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.
- Australian Blackwood back and sides paired with a Western Red Cedar top produces a powerful, richly toned Classical guitar while Soloman Island Rosewood back and sides gives a brighter more percussive sound better suited to Flamenco instruments.
- For the neck, Honduras Mahogany or Mangeo (a timber native to New Zealand) are used for their strength and stability.
- Fingerboards are available in Ebony or Black Maire (Another New Zealand native). Special fingerboard construction helps prevent unwanted distortion.
- Bridge and head veneer are African Ebony and Brazilian Rosewood for the classical and flamenco guitars respectively.
- The saddle and nut are carved from traditional bone. Timber used for bindings are Black Maire, Rewarewa (Also native to New Zealand), Indian Rosewood or Vitex.
- Timbers such as Mohogany, Mangeo, Cypress, Spruce and Poplar are used for various components of the internal structure suited to their particular qualities.
Built to Last
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 over nine years later. (However, we do not recommend you try this at home!)
High quality, robust machine heads used on Rod Capper Concert Guitars are from German manufacturers Rubner and Shaller. These have been selected for their durability, good looks and precise tuning.
Consistency
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.
The Finish
After construction, the main body is lightly coated with a specially developed polyurethane varnish producing a durable yet flexible surface which allows the guitar to retain its full tonal qualities, as well as withstanding the rigours of regular concert use. The top is sealed and buffed so as not to inhibit sound production, and the neck is finished with a hard wearing Acrylic Lacquer.
A Lasting Investment
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.
