Music is the universal language

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:14

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Lutherie - the making of guitars

What’s On My Workbench - Sitka Spruce/California Laurel Requinto Guitar

Wilson Burnham Guitars - Mon, 09/22/2025 - 13:59

Last week I closed up a requinto guitar, a custom order I accepted back in May 2025. A requinto is a very small guitar with a very short string length of 560mm (basically 22 inches). Compare that of a standard classical guitar string length of 650mm (25 5/8 inches). The body depth of this guitar is the same as standard classical guitar of around 4 inches deep. The requinto strings are tuned to a higher pitch than a regular guitar, put a capo on the strings of your guitar at the fifth fret and that is how a requinto is tuned.

The requinto guitar was popularized by Alfredo Gil, a member of Los Panchos. You will find it used in guitar orchestras, guitar quartets and mariachi bands.

The client who ordered this guitar was already playing a requinto that was tuned down to standard guitar tuning. This person wants a guitar that sounds better and is more responsive than their current guitar.

The client stopped by the shop and selected the tonewoods from my stacks of wood, they chose a torrified bearclaw Sitka spruce top and one of the finest California laurel back and sides sets I have ever owned.