{"product_id":"richard-howell-anniversary-classical-acoustic-guitar-natural-2015","title":"Richard Howell Classical Acoustic Guitar Anniversary Model No. 7 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003eRichard Howell Anniversary Model No. 7, made in Australia 2016, French polish natural finish. Alongside Greg Smallman, Richard Howell could easily be Australia's best regarded classical guitar maker. This model dates to 2016, right at the peak of Richard's formidable powers; he's recently retired following some health challenges. The Model No. 7 takes it's design queues from legendary Spanish maker Ignatio Fleta, so you get the cedar and rosewood body, 660mm scale and wide 55mm nut, as enjoyed by players including Andre Segovia and John Williams among others. The timbers used were aged in Richard's workshop over decades and specially chosen for this anniversary model, so you get an outrageously tightly grained Western red cedar top and some extraordinarily dark, rich Indian rosewood for the back and sides. The sound is magnificent: sonorous, rich lows with amazing punch and clarity, wonderful complexity through the midrange and a singing, expansive treble. The dynamic response on offer is amazing too; notes resound with bold gusto plucked loud, or offer a delicate sweetness when played softly; the whole EQ changes depending on your right hand attack. The build and finish work on  show here is as good as you could possibly ask for: it's a work of art. This one, friend, is a very good guitar indeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel\u003c\/strong\u003e: Richard Howell Anniversary Model No. 7\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade\u003c\/strong\u003e: Mornington, Victoria, Australia; 2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial\u003c\/strong\u003e: 474\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e: French polish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBody\u003c\/strong\u003e: Western Red Cedar top, 40+ year aged Indian Rosewood back and sides, all solid\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeck\u003c\/strong\u003e: Calantas neck, Ebony board; 660mm scale, 55mm nut, D shape\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1.620kg\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e: none\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.taylorguitars.com\/guitars\/acoustic\/features\/electronics\/expression-system%C2%AE-2\" title=\"Taylor Expression System 2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessories\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hiscox hard case\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCosmetic condition notes\u003c\/strong\u003e: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and minor scuffs on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has minor scuffs on the shoulders, elbow area and back edge. The sides have minor scuffs on the top shoulder and elbow area and some rub wear on the bottom bout and bottom shoulder. The front has dimples around the bridge and rosette and some scuffs on the shoulders from play.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall: very good condition (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlaying condition notes\u003c\/strong\u003e: Action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Wearing normal tension nylon strings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFret life\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9\/10, minor wear only\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcerpt from Richard Howell’s website:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\"I was born in Surrey England and music has been a big part of my life since early childhood. My father was a musical director in London, and together with his orchestra handled most of the big stage shows, therefore I was always exposed to music and musicians of the highest quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was at this time that I first fell in love with the guitar, and remember pestering my parents to buy me one, which they duly did when I was about ten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI made my first guitar in 1966, but it was not until I moved to Australia in 1972 and met Jason Waldron, the proprietor of the Adelaide Spanish guitar centre, that I started to take making seriously. Jason was looking for someone to make student model guitars and somehow I convinced him I was the man for the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring this period I had the opportunity to study the work of many of the world’s finest guitar makers. Fleta, Hauser, Hernandez y Aguado, to name but three.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was particularly inspired by the guitars of the late Ignacio Fleta, and spent some years studying his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I come to make a classical guitar I aim to make an instrument that maintains the consistent qualities that characterise my guitars . (Adequate volume along with great separation, balance, and clarity, with a full and rich sound.) This is important as I am varying my instruments to suit the specifications of each guitar player, which undoubtedly is one of the chief advantages of acquiring a hand made instrument. It is the way to get the guitar suited to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy guitars have often been compared to Fleta’s and while I acknowledge the compliment, these days I do not copy them any more than any other maker’s work. I believe all Luthiers share a debt to others for refining the design and establishing benchmarks that we all try to meet or exceed. I try to build the very best sounding and playing instrument I can, and look to learn from any luthier and player who has understood wood and sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI work alone in a small workshop at the back of my house in Mornington, Victoria, building instruments one at a time for the most part, and use traditional hand tools and finishes for a vast majority of the work. My years of experience and experimentation together with a commitment to working entirely by hand has given me a good understanding of what each piece of tone wood has to offer. Every piece of wood is unique and I search for the best out of each. This allows me to produce guitars that fulfil the individual potential of the woods, while offering to each player something which is both appealing and at the same time challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have made over 400 guitars this way, and each one leaves my shop with a very good pedigree – the best materials I can find and all I know goes into each and every one. My preference for handcrafting instruments stems from my admiration and study of the great makers. It has, however, been equally important for me to create instruments which will compliment current demands in taste and performance, both for the professional and enthusiast.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Richard Howell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53751904764217,"sku":"No.474","price":11995.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1270\/8995\/files\/RichardHowellAnniversaryClassical201501-260708.jpg?v=1783653051","url":"https:\/\/topshelfinstruments.com.au\/products\/richard-howell-anniversary-classical-acoustic-guitar-natural-2015","provider":"Topshelf Instruments","version":"1.0","type":"link"}