The double-top guitar was pioneered in the late 1980s by German luthiers Matthias Dammann and Gernot Wagner. Their innovation addressed the need for greater volume and projection in classical guitars, especially in large concert halls. By "sandwiching" a lightweight, high-strength material like Nomex between two thin layers of tonewood, they created a soundboard that was lighter, more responsive, and more powerful than traditional solid-wood tops. Gernot Wagner first introduced the use of Nomex into his soundboards over 20 years ago and continues to develop these instruments today.
I was encouraged to experiment with the use of Nomex double top guitars by Paul Fischer. My double top guitars are the result of my own experiments using nomex. Gernot Wagner has been very kind with sharing some methods and other advice and I must offer him thanks for this.
I have been offering this type of guitar for several years now. It has now become my main production and most guitars I sell these days tend to be double top classical guitars.
I make these guitars with both cedar tops or German spruce tops along with an internal top being cedar. These tops tend to be approx .5mm thick. The soundboard has 5 braces with closing bar and bridge bar. The finished top weighs in the region of 110 grams. It has a very strong developed sound which is very Spanish in nature. The guitar has good sustain and volume.
Other important features of the guitar are double laminated sides, this gives a lot of structure without adding weight and because the sides are stiffer there is less energy lost from the sound board into the sides.This also greatly improves the sustain. The inner layer is usually sapele or rosewood. I also now offer options to have a raised fingerboard on the treble side giving slightly easier access to the higher frets, and it is also possible to have a v jointed headstock which is slightly more decorative. I am also looking at incorporating Nomex into the back of the guitar with a view to not having back bars, I will post something when I am happy with this.
I continually strive to improve these guitars both in volume and tone with my main focus being on the overall tone and playability of the guitar.
SPECIFICATIONS
Selected cedar with Nomex core (design unique to Steve Toon)
Rosewood back and sides with double laminated sides
Cedrela neck with graphite rod
Ebony fingerboard (option for 20 frets)
Scale length 650 or 660 or by request
Handmade rosette
Solid wood bindings and real wood purflings
High gloss finish
Tuners by Rubner, Sheller, Waverly, Pagos or other by request
Hiscox Pro 2 case included
