Tenor Guitars

Home

Classical Guitars

Mandolins

Mandolas

Tenor Guitars

Tenor Guitar (standard)

Tenor Guitar (banjo neck)

The making of a tenor guitar was driven by a need to create an instrument capable of playing the traditional dance music repertoire using 'fiddle'/mandolin fingering. I decided that

the guitar must produce a clear tone with reasonable sustain, i.e. a tone capable of holding a single line melody.
the guitar should have a compact body size

The idea of a tenor guitar is not new. Tenor guitars have been made by luthiers and the major manufacturers since the early 20th century. During the 1920's, 30's and 40's it was popular as a jazz rhythm instrument.

The tenor guitar is often neglected within the standard guitar literature but further information can be found on the internet. One notable site is www.tenorguitar.com which provides a wealth of information and links to other related sites.

TENOR GUITAR (STANDARD)

Technical Details

Soundboard

Rosette

Bracing

Ribs

Back Wood

Back Construction

Neck

Head facing

Fingerboard

Binding

Neck Width at Nut

Scale Length

Frets Total

Body Finish

Spruce

Made from commercial herringbone and black/white/black purfling materials

Light version of standard Dreadnought bracing
American Black Walnut

American Black Walnut

Three piece back with sycamore inlays

Mahogany

Rosewood with carved inlay (optional extra)

Ebony

American Black Walnut.

Black and white Herringbone.

Sycamore rib inlays in the style of Robert Boucher.

38.5 mm

534 mm

Liberon Finishing Oil

TENOR GUITAR - with banjo neck

Interest in my tenor guitars arises from tenor banjo players who wish to generate a guitar sound without learning alternative fingering.

My original tenor guitar described above has a neck size typically found on such instruments. Tenor banjo players ideally require a guitar with a neck size more representative of their own banjo. My current tenor guitars are made with necks made to the players preferred dimensions. Typical dimensions are given below.

Technical Details

Soundboard