A guitar that bridges the gap between flattop and classical with easy playability, rich bass, and gorgeous curves: our 2008 Blanchard ClassiCool. Mark Blanchard is one of our longtime builders, and this beautiful nylon crossover of his is done up with Madagascar Rosewood for the back and sides, an Engelmann Spruce top, and all the creature comforts you could ever want.
Playability is the name of the game. Mark added an armrest to the bass-side lower bout, which frees up your arm from the top so it can vibrate more freely, and diagonal to the armrest you’ll find a Venetian Cutaway to keep the upper frets dust-free. The neck is slim for a nylon string with 1 7/8” at the nut and 2 5/16” at the saddle, and the profile has the C curve of a steel string, but here it’s been flattened out just a smidgen along the center to feel comfortable for both nylon and steel players. Additionally, the fretboard has a gentle radius to it that’ll keep your left hand deft and happy. The voice has plenty of velvet in the bass and mids, and the trebles have an extra helping of crispness that really cuts through the mix.
Easy as cake on the hands, and decadent to the ears: the Blanchard ClassiCool crossover.
Other keywords: nylon-string, classical guitar, nylon string guitar, crossover classical