Sipe Signature
Classical Guitar
A Unique Expression of Lutherie in Sound & Design
Starting at $7,300 USD
My Signature Classical Guitar Model is the highest expression of my style and craftsmanship. It features a contemporary sound that is ideal for the concert guitarist. The two bracing systems offered are uniquely evolved towards the modern guitarist.
Signature beveled headstock and bridge design
Wood Binding
Multi lined purflings all around
Compression and transverse wave rosette motif with unique burl
Matching tapered burl inlay on tailblock
Elevated fingerboard w/20th fret
18, 12 or 6 hole tie block for bridge
Complete French polish
Reserved stock of tonewoods
Visesnut Active Series case included
The Details
BRACING OPTIONS
Wood Lattice: This design incorporates an expanding wood lattice that emphasizes a bit more midrange saturation and a consistent response from the 1st position up to the highest notes. These guitars tend to have a deeper and lower resonance and are really quite fun to play while projecting a rich and colorful sound. The right hand feel is a bit loose like some more lightly built traditional guitars but with an even and big attack throughout.
Floating Tie: This design is a modified fan braced design that is paired with stiffened sides to produce a guitar with strong sustain and clarity with great projection for stage performance. Notes contain more high frequency content and sustain than the Lattice design. It maintains some of the traditional tonality of a 7 fan design while increasing response in the higher positions. This design has a controlled sustain that can handle being driven.
DESIGN
My Signature model features:
Rosette–Compression and transverse wave made with a unique piece of burl wood
Tailblock–Made with a same burl as the rosette in a tapered shape
Headstock– My signature design in an matte oiled finish
Bridge- Signature wing design in an oiled finish on ebonized or natural rosewood
Fingerboard–Elevated with a 20th fret with the same design language as the headstock
TONEWOOD
The top comes standard with European Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Western Red Cedar or Redwood.
The back and sides are constructed from a selection of reserved stock tonewood that visually highly graded. Species choices include East Indian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood, Honduran Rosewood, Myrtle Wood, and more. Please ask about my selection.
FINISHING
Signature Series comes standard with complete French polish finish. This is a labor intensive finish but pays off because it is sonically wonderful and environmentally friendlier than a water based or nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The back and sides can be lacquered for greater durability. I will also lacquer the tops of instruments per request.
GUITAR TUNERS
I use Gotoh 510 Machine heads or equivalent. Other Machines (Rodgers, Gilbert, Scheller, Barnett, etc) are available to order.
Typical CUSTOMIZATIONS
Sound port
Sound port with magnetic cover
Arm bevel or rest
Subtle doubled binding thickness at lower bout for larger rounding where arm rests
The Sound of MY Signature Guitar
FAQs ABout The Sipe Signature MOdel
hOw Long Will It take TO Get MY Guitar?
1
A guitar build from start to finish is usually two to three months in total but I am not usually available to start immediately. My current wait time fluctuates based on the number or orders I have at the moment. Please contact me for more information.
What Is The Difference Between Lattice and Floating Tie BRacing?
2
The Floating Tie bracing is really a modification of a more traditional seven fan bracing. It is pushed to increase sustain thru the entire register. It was originally inspired by some of the Daniel Friederich guitars that I heard on stage and really enjoyed but it is not a copy of his designs. It’s my own take on a way to get at that kind of sound. I think this design really works well with guitarists with a strong right hand technique. Players who love early music with great sustain in the basses to carry implied lines are also a fan.
The Lattice design I build is not a typical lattice with 90 degree angles, or a square grid. My lattice is all wood and is on a 60 degree angle. The lattice is stiffer with the grain than across the grain, which is similar to traditional fan braced designs. It still retains some of the sweetness and character found in more traditionally build guitars but with a more consistent response as you shift up and down the fingerboard. It works well for players with less strength in their plucking hand as the sound is easier and bigger without having to push the guitar as hard as the Floating Tie. It’s a bigger, looser sound that is reminiscent of a more lightly built Spanish guitar with the advantage of a more even response.
Can I Add Custom Features?
3
Yes, of course. This Signature model is already equipped with an elevated fingerboard and 20th fret but a sound port, sound port with magnetic cover, arm rest or bevel are common options. I’m open to taking on other ideas.
How much input do I get in the Aesthetics?
4
With the Signature model, there are a few decorative elements that you, as the customer get to pick out. The main one is that each burl used for the rosette is a unique piece of wood you get to pick and pair with three decorative lines in the center of the rosette. That burl and color scheme is then carried through to the tail block and tie block decorations as well as the purfling lines all around the top back and sides.
5
Can I choose my Scale Length and nut width?
I do not charge extra for scale length changes or a custom nut width. Scale lengths can easily be cut in 632.5mm, 640mm, 645mm, 650mm, 655mm, 660mm, and 665mm.