Start with the tuning
The intended pitches determine the string set, scale and setup. Nos. 457 and 399 document a 750 mm scale; this is a useful reference rather than a dimension to apply to every build.
Nylon / Instrument family
Contrabass Guitar
A purpose-built low-register instrument in the nylon-string family.
The playing brief
What makes this direction different?
For an ensemble bass voice or a personal low-register repertoire. The workshop offers custom contrabass guitars with four, five or six strings, and hybrid arrangements discussed individually.
Body and neck together
Reach, neck shape, body depth and upper-register access need to work in your playing position. The low register is developed as part of the complete instrument.
Not simply a body name
Galyna No. 559 is a seven-string classical with a contrabass-style body and 650 mm scale. It illustrates a body variant, not the same specification as a dedicated 750 mm contrabass guitar.
Completed instruments
The work, in detail.
These photographs, measurements and films belong to the numbered guitars. They are reference instruments, not a fixed specification or a statement of current availability.
No. 457 /
Luthier’s contrabass guitar no. 457 – Sunburst
- Scale
- 750 mm
- Nut
- 43 mm, natural bone, hand-shaped and polished
No. 399 /
Luthier’s contrabass guitar no. 399
- Scale
- 750 mm
- Nut
- 44.5 mm, natural bone, hand-shaped and polished
No. 559 /
7 string luthier’s classical contrabass-body guitar no. 559 – Galyna
- Body
- Contrabass style
- Scale
- 650 mm
- Nut
- 61.2 mm, natural bone, hand-shaped and polished
Before you choose
A few useful answers.
How does this differ from Acoustic Bass?
This page concerns the nylon-family contrabass direction. Steel-family acoustic basses have their own string, scale and hardware requirements and are presented separately.
Can I specify an unusual tuning?
Yes. Include the lowest and highest pitches, your preferred strings and ensemble role in the enquiry so that the design can be assessed.
Made for your playing
Your Contrabass Guitar.
Tell us what you play, what feels right on your current instrument and what you would change. The specification, price and anticipated timing are agreed before the build begins.
Discuss an instrument