Scharpach Dolphin Concert Jazz (nylon string)

Standard Dolphin:
The dolphin got its name by the special shaped fingerboard that extends over the soundhole. The idea for this guitar came from a respected friend Mr. Uwe Kropinski. He ordered in 1990 a 4 octave guitar with a scalloped fingerboard and that is what he got...

In 2001 a new design of the same concept was successfully made for Uwe Kropinski. Scharpach and Kropinski agreed that there is in fact no superior nylon string on the market which is not a classical guitar. And there is a small need by jazz and/or pop artists to perform on nylon string guitar which has the superior acoustics of a classical concert guitar but with features that would accommodate their own way of playing.

This delicate, fully acoustic nylon string concert guitar uses the same high quality standards that the classical concert guitar offers. The standard Dolphin version is available with 24 frets. Due to the combination of the raised fingerboard and the extremely deep cutaway, good access is granted, even to the highest positions.

This guitar has a remarkable sustain, not found in other nylon strings. Traditionally built loud classical guitars often do not have sustain at all and sound almost like a percussion instrument. Scharpach guitars are sometimes said to have a piano-like sound as a chord beautifully melts together when held, but at the same time presents a strong clear separation of each tone within that particular chord.

Uwe Kropinski Custom Special:
The standard Dolphin is designed in close collaboration with the great guitar player Uwe Kropinski. The personal guitar of Uwe Kropinski is merely an adaptation of the standard Dolphin. It features those special extra's that accommodate Uwe's Specific Style of Playing.

Very obvious is the extremely long fingerboard that features 39 frets. The fingerboard is also scalloped to Uwe’s specifications. The bridge has a string spacing of 60mm instead of the standard 58mm.

For the neck, an ebony veneer is used, because Uwe did not want a varnished neck. (most bowed instrument are not varnished either). By using a 1mm thick ebony veneer Scharpach achieved three advantages; it just looks great, keeps the back of the neck clean and also provides a higher degree of stiffness. Instead of using Rodger machines, Uwe preferred the use of Freewheeler machines on this guitar.

Scharpach needed to adapt the inside of the guitar for Uwe, to allow him to play his typical percussion. The amplification is set-up with a custom mic-system inside the guitar and a Schertler pick-up underneath the bridge saddle.

Specs: