The Dreadnought Guitar

The original Dreadnought model was developed as a result of a collaboration between Frank Martin and Henry Hunt, who represented the Oliver H. Ditson Co. The model was a departure from the popular guitar size of the time, being quite a bit larger and deeper than anything in their line. They hit the market in 1916 and bore the Ditson label. It was not until the Ditson Co. went out of business in the late 20's that the model became incorporated into the Martin line. It was slow to catch on at first, but eventually was the most dominant guitar that Martin offered. It became the guitar of choice in a bluegrass band setting, and later enjoyed another boost during the folk years of the early 60's. Nowadays, many guitar companies large and small offer their own versions of this workhorse of the guitar world. So does Girdis Guitars!

The Girdis Dreadnought is offered in a couple of different versions, the Model G ,the standard shape made popular by the original Martin model, and a slope shouldered version, the Model B, which is more along the lines of the Dreadnoughts put out by the Gibson Co. in the 1930's. As a custom builder, Rob leaves a lot of room in the details of these models for the customer to choose from. He sometimes will make them with a slightly longer scale (string length), a slightly shorter scale, or a slightly reduced body depth. Please inquire as to how these subtle changes might affect the sound, feel, playability, and recording characteristics of the guitar.

Standard Features:

• AAA or Master grade soundboard
• Custom rosette
• Honduras mahogany neck
• Wood bindings
• Ebony fingerboard, bridge and bridge pins
• Schaller tuners
• Hardshell case
• Bone nut and saddle

Options:

• Soundboard: Sitka, German, Engleman or Adirondack Spruce
• Body Woods: Mahogany, Rosewoods, Koa, etc. (Inquire!)
• Colored purflings
• Waverly tuners
• Pickup systems
• Calton case built to exact fit
• Blue Heron gig bag
• Fossil Ivory bridge pins and strap buttons
• Fossil ivory nut and saddle