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GUITARS >> CONSTRUCTION
Rovis-Hermann Classical Guitars are made using an original design in combination with elements of traditional instrument making. The soundboards are thicknessed in a way to give maximum tone quality but to reduce excess weight. Stability is put into the soundboard by using a ‘Bouchet Bar’. This bar allows some emphasis of the octave frequency giving a clear characteristic to the sound. The attack is very immediate and powerful, as vibration is transmitted across the soundboard instantly and the tension of the strings act more as a driver below the bridge. The saddle area of the guitar is also less bouncy with a Bouchet Bar, so achieving greater sustain.
In conjunction with the Bouchet Bar a close bracing system is used. It is just off parallel with the grain and splaying out, giving even support to the relatively thin soundboard. It is important that the soundboard is allowed to move freely as is possible but not too far either way of resting point. Floppy soundboards are considered negative to a guitars’ sound. The braces are separated in front and behind the bridge by a scallop and tapering approach under the bridge area. The main reason for this is that one area is under tension and one is under compression. This allows more freedom for the soundboard to rapidly change and work in multiple vibrational modes but still maintain structural support.
Rovis-Hermann guitars have power and a large color palette for artistic expression.
They are not made in the carbon-fibre/epoxy style like other Australian guitars. Solid woods are used for the back and sides, as with the rest of the guitar. The quality of tone comes from the substance of the wood, the gradient of the thickness and the balance of the bracing.
Rovis-Hermann guitars are finished with shellac and modern finishes. A thin, hard shellac finish is applied to the soundboard. This is considered the best surface for sound quality, luster and protection. A thin mix of shellac is applied first to give depth to the finish. The finish is then bodied up with a slightly richer mix of shellac that tends to sit more on top of the wood. The careful use of specialized hardeners with the polish gives a durable, high quality result. The back and sides are finished in modern products.
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