For
some time now I've been playing guitars made by David
Whiteman.
The first instrument, which is shown in the photographs
above, was made for me in 2004 and it was a revelation.
I'm currently playing a second guitar which was finished
in 2007. I play this instrument virtually every day and
it never fails to be an inspiration. Both these guitars
have a hand carved compensated nut and saddle and have
been set up by Bill Puplett. The 2007 guitar has an internal
B Band pickup system which is used in conjunction with
an AER amplifier. This is for live playing only. I use
D'Addario nylon strings, a mixture of hard tension trebles
and normal tension bass strings. Specifications for the
2007 guitar are listed below.
A new seven string Whiteman guitar is currently being built
and will be ready in 2010. The additional low string will
normally be tuned to the note B. This will be my first seven
string guitar and I'm excited by the idea of having an extended
range and potential for chord voicings.
Richard Chapman Oct
7th 2009
TOP & BRIDGE
The top (table) is made of European spruce. Rather than
using French polish or a spray finish such as cellulose the
wood has been lightly oiled. This is unusual- finishes can
mask sound and this has been done to bring out extra tone.
Internally, the top has seven fan braces in a traditional
Torres type pattern. Rosette with multicoloured dark brown
and ochre patterning.
The bridge is made of Brazilian rosewood with a bone edging
and has a compensated bone saddle by Bill Puplett.
BODY
Indian
rosewood with two piece back. Rounded ‘dropped
shoulder’ cutaway joining the body at the 16th fret.
The guitar is slightly wider than most classical guitars.
The measurements are - lower bout width 383 mm (15.1”)
upper bout width 293mm (11.5”) and the waist is 254
mm (10”) The body depth ranges from 85mm (3.35”)
at the heel to 90 mm (3.54”) at the base. Indian rosewood
sides (ribs) Bindings are mahogany. French polish finish.
NECK & HEADSTOCK
South
American cedar joining the body at the fourteenth fret.
The neck has a rounded ‘C’ shape rather
then the normal classical ‘D’ shape. The heel
has an incurved shape- it has been cut close into the body
for better access- I can keep my thumb in place for higher
notes. French polish finish.
The headstock is cedar with Brazilian facing and a back
facing as well. It is attached to the neck with a scarf joint.
On the latest guitar the overall headstock angle has been
increased to add some extra string pressure for resonance.
Hand made machine heads with engraved brass plates and mother
of pearl oval buttons made by David Rodgers in Leicester,
England. Special compensated nut by Bill Puplett.
FINGERBOARD
Made
of ebony and flat with a tiny amount of edge camber. Small
dot inlays have been placed on the side at the 5th, 12th
and 17th frets. There are 22 frets with an extension giving
a high D note. Medium height and width fret wire. The neck
and fingerboard are much narrower than a standard classical
guitar- 46mm ( 1.8”) at the nut and 56mm
( 2.2”) at the 12th fret. The neck and fingerboard
depth is 21mm (.82”) at the nut and 22mm (.86”)
at the ninth fret. String scale length is standard- 650mm
( 25.6”)
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