Stephan Connor enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s foremost builders of classical guitars. His instruments are played and cherished by an A-list of musicians, and the wait-times for his new builds are not-surprisingly long. He doesn’t build too many steel string instruments, and those few are highly regarded for their beguiling tone.

An incredibly complex, rich, open, and loud steel string, this guitar offers huge treble power that’s counterbalanced by a dark, warm, and articulate low end. The mid-range is clear, focused, and supportive; overtones are lush but not overpowering, and the guitar can handle any strength of right-hand attack. It’s truly a remarkable instrument.

Built with 5A Madagascar rosewood and Master-grade flamed redwood, the guitar’s tonewoods are all the ornamentation the instrument really needs, but Connor accented the body tastefully with gorgeous curly Koa bindings, maple purflings to the sides and back; rosewood and maple top purflings, and a pearl, rosewood, and maple rosette. The headstock is blank, leaving the figure of the Madagascar rosewood to take center stage. The finish is French polish through out.

The neck carve has a low D feel that will be familiar to Classical players, a nut width of 46mm (1-13/16”) and a scale of 640mm (25.2”). It’s hard to notice in the photos, but the neck joins the body at the 12th fret. String spacing at the bridge is 56mm (2-3/16”) and the fingerboard has a very slight radius.

The guitar’s body measures 15.6” across its lower bout, and is 4” deep at the endpin. Gotoh 510 tuning machines, bone nut and saddle, horn and pearl bridge pins. It is set up with Elixir light strings and an action of 2-2.5mm (4-6 64ths) at the 12th fret.

With original hardshell case