Full Body
The complete upper-bout outline, without a cutaway. A traditional body contour on both sides of the neck.
The playing experience
Body & Cutaways
From a full body to an ultra-deep cutaway.
Explore the body shapesBody contours
Six ways to shape the upper bout.
Palm Bevel can also complement a full cutaway. Your body shape and comfort details are specified together.
Semi-Cutaway
A larger sculpted shoulder beside the neck. More relief than a Palm Bevel, without the open recess of a full cutaway.
Palm Bevel / Micro-Cutaway
A small bevel at the upper edge for the fretting hand. It can also be added to a full cutaway for extra comfort.
Explore Palm Bevel
Full Cutaway / Venetian
A full cutaway with a rounded horn. The flowing contour opens the treble-side upper bout alongside the fingerboard.
View the instrument
Full Cutaway / Florentine
The standard-depth Florentine, with its pointed horn and clearly defined recess beside the neck.
View the instrument
Florentine / Ultra-Deep
A deeper Florentine recess for more room in the upper register. Shown here on Al Di Meola's Opus Virtuoso Ember.
Al Di Meola's guitarInside the design
Shaped around your reach.
The upper bout is a choice about access, contact and the outline of the instrument. Full Body, Semi-Cutaway and Palm Bevel offer different treatments of the shoulder; a full cutaway creates a more open route alongside the fingerboard.
Full cutaways are available with a rounded Venetian contour or a pointed Florentine contour. Florentine can be standard or ultra-deep, as on Al Di Meola's Opus Virtuoso Ember.
These choices are developed with the neck joint and the complete acoustic body. Palm Bevel is also available as an additional comfort detail on a full cutaway, not just as an alternative to one.
How do I choose the right amount of access?
Consider how often you play above the body joint and where your fretting hand meets the upper bout. We discuss that reach alongside your neck, body and playing position, then confirm the chosen contour in your written specification.
What is the difference between semi-cutaway and micro-cutaway?
A semi-cutaway has a larger, sculpted shoulder beside the neck. Palm Bevel, our micro-cutaway, is a smaller local relief at the edge. The two photographs above show these distinct treatments on Turkowiak instruments.
Venetian or Florentine?
Venetian has a rounded cutaway horn. Florentine has a pointed horn and is available in standard and ultra-deep versions. The shape of the horn and the depth of access are separate aspects of the design.
Can a full cutaway also have Palm Bevel?
Yes. We can add Palm Bevel to a full cutaway for a softer transition against the fretting hand. The bevel complements the cutaway rather than replacing it.
Does a cutaway determine the sound?
The outline changes the body geometry, but it does not determine the instrument's sound on its own. We consider the top, back, sides, soundhole and internal construction together with the chosen cutaway.
The photographed instrument has its own specification. Decorative inlays and individual artwork are optional and quoted separately.
Considered together
Continue exploring.
Palm Bevel
A micro-cutaway. A softer path to the upper frets.
Acoustic Tubes
The neck becomes part of the resonant design.
Your instrument
Chosen together.
The right combination begins with your playing. Construction, materials and optional details are confirmed in your individual specification.