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Ask Bob: BTO Blues Guitar

Question: I own eight Taylor guitars and love them all! It will be nine as soon as I can get my hands on a GS Mini.  They each have their unique voice, from the DN to the GS. I’m primarily a fingerstyle player with a classical background and enjoy learning the blues as played by the original artists. This brings me to wanting to design a BTO blues guitar with an old-fashioned, soulful voice.  I’m thinking a 12-fret with an Adirondack spruce top (tobacco sunburst, of course), mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck with ebony headstock overlay, and cream binding and purfling. I think this would deliver the instrument I’m looking for. However, I would like the neck to be as wide as possible at the nut, 1-7/8 or more. Your thoughts?
Tom Rusiecki
Port Richey, FL

Answer: Tom, the neck width isn’t a problem. If this were mine, I’d consider a mahogany top. Just consider it. Don’t let me talk you into anything, but compared to a spruce top it will have a darker sound and would sing the blues a little mo’ betta.

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