A world-renowned guitar from Esperance
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381952)
Rockingham, Australia
January 21, 2022 5:51pm CST
While touring the museum in Perth, Western Australia, I spotted this ordinary-looking guitar in a display cabinet. However, it is no ordinary guitar at all. I thought @TheHorse for one might be interested in it and I know there are others here who play guitar, although perhaps not classical guitar. This Greg Smallman and Sons classical guitar was built in 2020.
The following is taken from the information panel in front of the cabinet:
In mid-19th century Spain, the guitar design innovations of Antonio Torres formed the basis of the modern classical guitar. Then, in 20th century Australia, a significant development occurred in the workshop of Greg Smallman. His key structural innovation is the internal ‘lattice-brace’, which supports a very thin guitar top.
Since 1981, the Smallman guitar has been the instrument of choice for renowned classical guitarist John Williams, who praises the brilliance, fullness, volume and resonance of the Smallman guitar sound. End of quote.
What was especially interesting to me is that Greg and his sons, Damon and Kym, make their guitars in Esperance, on the south coast where we used to live. Eight different woods are used in the construction of the guitar and the nut and saddle are made of cow bone. The fingerboard is carbon fibre.
Photo is mine.
17 people like this
14 responses
@RasmaSandra (97994)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Jan 22
That is a classy-looking guitar, Than k you for the interesting information behind it,
3 people like this


@TheHorse (238297)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 22
@mildredtabitha I do love guitars
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381952)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jan 22
Duh! That was me - my mistake. I've fixed it now and thanks for pointing it out.
@Virtually2021 (828)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
21 Jan 22
It's good to hear about the different woods and carbon fibre used in the construction of the guitar.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
22 Jan 22
must make a beautiful sound for all that care and display.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230351)
• Chile
22 Jan 22
This is a post the my grandson Felipe would be interested in. I like to listen to people playing but have no idea of the guitars.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381952)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jan 22
I don't know anything about the different brands either.
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
22 Jan 22
I had only touch my brothers guitar once, but never played it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381952)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jan 22
I was never able to play one. I blame my short fingers.
@LindaOHio (222319)
• United States
22 Jan 22
Interesting. The guitar in the case was built in 2020?
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
22 Jan 22
wow
I learned something (thank you for that)
so cool
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381952)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jan 22
@DocAndersen I was reading the notice and got to the end and wow! there was the link to Esperance.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Jan 22
@JudyEv i did enjoy the way you laid out the information. i learned something and that is important to me!
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