The Smallman Dream!! Greg Smallman and Sons 2023 Review | GuitarCollection.com
Although this guitar is no longer available, if you’re interested in learning more see the below link: https://www.guitarcollection.com/products/greg-smallman-and-sons-2023-cedar-ziricote
I also have a 1998 Greg Smallman that I have not listed. please write to me at evan@guitarcollection.com
I’m excited to share the dream guitar for many classical players—a brand-new 2023 Greg Smallman & Sons cedar lattice-top classical guitar. Known for revolutionizing the design of classical guitars with his innovative lattice-braced top, Greg Smallman has set a new standard for volume, projection, and tonal clarity.
In this review and demo, I dive into: • The breakthrough lattice bracing that delivers deep, overtone-rich sound
• The iconic Smallman rosette and its striking design
• Unique features like the adjustable neck
• How this instrument achieves exceptional dynamic range and voice separation
Every detail of this instrument has been meticulously crafted, making it an inspiration for both players and collectors.
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0:00 Confession by Barrios
0:27 Introductory remarks
0:48 About Smallman
3:25 The specs
6:55 Adjustable neck
9:03 Misconceptions/truths about lattice braced guitar
14:03 Tango Maria by Tárrega
15:18 Pavana Capricho by Albeniz
16:04 El Testament de Amelia by Llobet
18:23 Julia Florida by Barrios
19:28 Prelude 11 by Tárrega
20:40 Registro by Lauro
21:11 Pavana by Tarrega
22:01 Bloomed by Taucher
#Smallman #Dream #Greg #Smallman #Sons #Review #GuitarCollection.com
Originally posted by UCF6Scbvou7Wyy7PMx9f2XjA at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFMIKRotpZU
This is my first time viewing your channel. I sought it out because I was just curious if Greg Smallman were still being made. I’m pleased that they are. John Williams has been an absolute favourite of mine for decades. He received some negative press I believe in part because he extolled the character of the Smallman design. I have not had the pleasure playing a Smallman though I have been fortunate enough to see both John Williams and Ana Vidovic with her lattice braced Redgate guitar in person. Both artists and guitars were technical marvels and extremely expressive. Classical guitar is a very conservative and traditional art form so change is often not readily embraced. I have owned both lattice and fan braced guitars and certainly appreciate both.
man. just wow. touched my soul. been looping the songs for hours.
Great vid. new sub. Any recommendations for a classical guitar 1-2k ?
Great presentation Evan! Really impressive. Got rid of some of my old prejudices. Thanks a lot! I perform Torres, Santos and Tacchi…. Best regards Wulfin
Mr. Taucher is great example of old style of picking basses with flesh in Segovia style which produce volume and power with lots of fats and warmth, and not with those weird extra long nails which produce metalic and thin sound. I would love to bring some guitaring and there is I think 90% of todays guitarist who picking with long nails, and give them to play and then give that guitar to mr. Taucher and you will hear what Im talking about. Same guitar will sound so different. I love that. Sound is so much beautifull, I listen so many guys playing Smallman and sound like nothing because of this way of picking and I cant believe how people dont catch that at all even they are proffesional players, its so weird.
I play a lattice Portentosa Grande Furioso from Dieter Hopf the 2 smallman guitars I was lucky to test were each different in sound but both erre really easy to play, almost impossible to produce a bad sound wth them ,very reproducable quality of sound, extreme smoothness ,velvety like, however the colour range of these two guitars was reduced in comparison to the Hopf
What strings are those? The trebles sound great but I'm not sure if the basses come across. They seem quiet or different ?? Great playing! Love it. I actually have a Smallman copy and the trebles are similar but the bass is so so different on it. Thanks for the good review.
Dont like the piece of wood on the top side, unnecessary, just for show.
Dont like the piece of wood on the top side, unnecessary, just for show.
I enjoyed your "Julia Florida" on that nice guitar.
what do these go for?
The price?
Beautifully played!
Oh crap! Now I've seen something I love but can't afford!
I'm going to have to sell the car and buy one of these!!!
This guitar is not the final perfecting of the guitar but it is a great leap forward!!!
That musical piece you played was pure joy.
Can we take a moment to recognize how good you play. Those pieces were flawless, one day when I sell my house I might buy a Smallman with the proceeds. ????.
What about Alan Wilcox’s huge huge sound?
I don't care how popular (or expensive) his guitars are, the trebles sound like a Banjo! The trebles are wonky and lacking in sweetness! To me, this guitar represents the sacrifices that must be accepted in order to achieve some extra volume and sustain! The Smallman represents the ultimate sacrifice of beautiful tone for loudness and sustain! I acquired an early Redgate, which is similar to Smallman but with a much thicker top. Its sound is not as sweet as more traditional guitars, but on balance its superior sustain and volume are a worthwhile compromise. In the end though, the double top has become my design of choice, because it retains the roundness and sweetness that traditional guitars have, but excels in volume and sustain! Nice video!
The harmonics coming from this are amazing. X
To my ear, this Smallman sounds great. I've heard Smallman guitars that don't sound as warm.
Summary (with chapter timestamps): This video reviews a 2023 Greg Smallman guitar, highlighting its lattice brace design, cedar top, and adjustable neck, while also addressing common misconceptions about these instruments and showcasing their expressive capabilities.
0:28 ???? Introduction to Greg Smallman Guitars
• Greg Smallman's lattice brace design revolutionized classical guitars, enhancing volume significantly.
• The video explores the 2023 Smallman guitar, highlighting its cedar top, iconic rosette, and adjustable neck.
• The review addresses misconceptions about Smallman guitars, emphasizing their dynamic range and expressive capabilities.
3:17 ????️ Specs and Features
• The guitar features a lattice-braced top with carbon fiber reinforcement for enhanced sound projection.
• The cedar top is composed of multiple pieces, contributing to the instrument's unique tonal qualities.
• The adjustable neck allows for easy action adjustments, catering to different playing styles and preferences.
9:04 ???? Misconceptions and Truths
• The video addresses the misconception that Smallman guitars prioritize volume over sound quality.
• It emphasizes the importance of adjusting technique to fully appreciate the guitar's dynamic range.
• The guitar's ability to produce both quiet and loud sounds allows for expressive musical phrasing.
12:34 ???? Final Thoughts and Musical Examples
• The host encourages viewers to subscribe and engage with the channel, fostering a community of guitar enthusiasts.
• The video promotes the Guitar Collection website, showcasing a variety of classical guitars.
• The host expresses gratitude to Greg Smallman and his sons for creating such an exceptional instrument.
** Generated using ✨ VidSkipper AI Chrome Plugin
Sorry, the obsession with volume has destroyed the guitar's real virtue.
Great video! So informative and I loved the playing too. I'll just add that the action adjustment feature works by changing the angle of the neck to the body. I mention it in case some folks might think it adjusts the action through the use of a truss rod. Appreciate your work!
11:52 what tune is that?
Great sounding guitar played extremely well. I like it's tone and overall sound. I'm surprised it's getting slammed as much as it is in the comments.
Exceptionally good demo and presentation.
You played exquisitely and produced the most beautiful sounds. I’ll probably never own, or even come across anything anywhere near as good as this, but it’s nice to know what they sound like, in the hands of a master player, in an intimate setting.
I saw JW in concert around 20 years ago. He was brilliant of course, but the sound was a slightly odd at times. I assume he was using his Smallman instrument. It was a vast hall, I was seated near the back and even the discreet amplification they were applying, affected the sound adversely, I thought. There was a slight, but noticeably metallic ring to the tone, which also seemed to act to condense and even out both the attack and decay.
I suppose they had to boost the volume a little in such a large space.
Great How you play ????
And thank you for information.
Only sought after by people who like to waste money
Greetings Evan! I had a lattice (Traditional construction, single sides and back like a regular spanish and the lattice made out of wood) as my first guitar ever, built by Daniel García Corona. I thought for some time that the instrument was dull or stuff but then i realized the construction is meant to be warmer. All the concerts i gave in 2019 and 2020 (And a couple in '21 just getting out of the pandemic) were played in that guitar, unamplified, it could fill the auditorium without any trouble, i did have to push it a bit more though. I also played Ty Zhang's Smallman since he's given concerts in my city (Zacatecas, he actually fell in love with a girl who studied in my faculty and who received classes of History of the instrument with my dad hehe) and DAMN! That's a loud axe. Best regards!
I’ve always wanted one of those Aussie double tops. Since I could never afford one, I had a master luthier from Oregon take a chance on building a pair for me and a student. Since I play Flamenco and classical chamber music I had him build a hybrid between the two w geared pegs using cypress sides and back and a volcanic cedar top. You’re probably wondering what I mean by that… back in 1980 after Mount Saint Helens erupted in Washington state he was able to source some amazing cedar that had been fell through the eruption. He only had a small amount of this cedar so it’s very special. The luthier in case you’re wondering is Shelton-Farretta. He and his wife started building guitars in the 60’s. He’s now retired I think. Anyways, enjoyed your video. Great touch!
The 53mm nut isn’t an issue for small hands. The string spacing at the nut controls the playability. A 43mm or smaller string spacing will feel the same on a 53,52, or 51mm width neck. I’ve built guitars for George Sakellariou who prefers 635mm scale, 54mm nut, 42mm string spacing at the nut. He has small hands and likes that set up. Remember it is the string spacing and not so much the neck width that is the issue.