Instrument Details
1994 Bown Parlor, All-Koa
$7,725
- Photos & Video
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- Specs
-
- Status
- In Stock
- Brand
- Bown, Ralph
- Product Year
- 1994
- Model
- Parlor
- Serial #
- 122
- New/Preowned
- Preowned
- SKU
- 2768
- Condition
- Overall clean. Two hairline stress cracks at back of neck, stabilized. Some capo marks and finish checks back of neck.
- Body Type(s)
- Small, 0/Parlor
- Back & Sides
- Koa
- Top
- Koa
- Neck Wood
- Mahogany
- Neck Profile
- D
- Bridge
- Ebony
- Rosette
- Herringbone
- Top Trim
- Rope Style
- Fingerboard
- Ebony
- Fingerboard Bindings
- Ivoroid
- Fret Markers
- Dots
- Frets to Body
- 12
- Headplate
- Rosewood - Brazilian
- Headstock Bindings
- Ivoroid
- Headstock Inlay
- Builder Logo
- Instrument Finish
- Gloss
- Body Bindings
- Ivoroid
- Tuners
- Waverly
- Tuner Finish
- Bronze with Amber Buttons
- Cutaway
- None
- Pickguard
- None
- Pickup
- Fishman Matrix
- Pickup (y/n)
- Yes
- Body Length
- 19.25 in
- Upper Bout
- 10 in
- Lower Bout
- 13.5 in
- Body Depth Heel
- 3.375 in
- Body Depth Tail
- 4 in
- Scale Length
- 25.25 in
- Scale Length (mm)
- 641.4 mm
- Nut Width
- 1.75 in
- Nut Width (mm)
- 44.45 mm
- String Spacing
- 2.25 in
- String Spacing (mm)
- 57.15 mm
- Neck Depth First Fret
- 0.79 in
- Neck Depth Seventh Fret
- 0.83 in
- Weight
- 3 lb. 8 oz.
- Case
- Hardshell - Calton Flight Case
- Audio File
- Description
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Koa, Koa, Koa! This beautiful 1994 Ralph Bown Parlor guitar features a Koa back, sides, and top and an incredibly punchy, balanced, singing tone. Mahogany neck and Ebony fretboard deliver the standard in superb action all the way up the neck. Originally owned by Martin Simpson, and his then wife, Jessica Simpson. Ralph Bown builds for Clive Carroll, John Renbourn, Martin Simpson and many other UK greats. This guitar is a treat to look at (and play) and is very hard to put down. Sweet in every way.
Check out this video of Clive Carroll performing an Elizabethan lute tune, "Preludium" here: www.youtube.com/watch
I first met this guitar in the late 90s when I was staying with Martin and Jessica Simpson in New Orleans. I remember first seeing it's beautiful Koa and enjoying playing it with them. It's a real gem from one of England's very best, Ralph Bown who's guitars are played by the best, Martin Simpson, John Renbourn and Clive Carroll. Pretty good list of players! 
The lower register really leaps out of the soundhole! The Koa has opened up in a way that's very interesting; a touch of added darkness to notes, a lively string energy, a bigger-than-expected sound overall. 
A real gem, this little Koa guitar has lots of charisma and charm with an illustrious history to go with it. I really enjoyed it. This is a fun guitar to play and it's beautiful to look at too. - Accessories
16745