Douglass Scott, 2026

Douglass Scott guitars have become some of the most sought-after traditional concert instruments in the world. With a multi-year waitlist and demand from top players internationally, his instruments are admired for their rare ability to combine the warmth and lyricism of a great Spanish guitar with the power, clarity, and balance modern concert players expect.

This 2026 instrument, No. 158, is a superb example of Scott’s latest work, and to our ears it may be the finest guitar we have yet seen from him. Built with a European spruce top and striking wenge back and sides, it delivers a beautifully refined tonal palette with impressive projection and clarity. Despite being only recently completed, the guitar is already remarkably open and responsive, with a voice that feels mature and notes that bloom easily and remain balanced across the entire register.

Specifications

Luthier: Douglass Scott
Model: No. 158
Year: 2026
Top: European Spruce
Back & Sides: Wenge
Construction: Traditional five-fan bracing
Finish: French polished shellac
Scale Length: 650 mm
Nut Width: 52 mm
String Spacing at Saddle: 58 mm
Action at 12th Fret: 3.5 mm (6th string), 2.75 mm (1st string)
Neck: Cedrela (Spanish cedar)
Fingerboard: Raised African ebony with 20th fret extension
Bridge: Madagascar rosewood with compensated saddle
Bindings: East Indian rosewood
Features: New rosette design, mini ebony tornavoz, side sound port with adjustable magnetic cover, armrest
Tuners: Gotoh
Strings: D’Addario XTC45FF with normal tension nylon first string
https://ddar.io/guitar-collection
Case: Hardshell case included
Certificate: Signed certificate from the maker included
Condition: Excellent. 

Construction & Design

The visual signature of this guitar is Scott’s new rosette design, and it is a genuine step forward in his work. The central mosaic was inspired by the label of an early Vicente Arias guitar, a small pattern reinterpreted at the soundhole so that it reads as complex and colorful from across the room and only reveals its full detail up close. The same fine line detail is echoed around the tie block, tying the whole instrument together.

Underneath the European spruce top is a lightly braced five-fan pattern, entirely traditional in approach with no double top or lattice, which makes the volume and openness this guitar produces all the more remarkable. The wenge back and sides are a beautifully straight, even set, and the Madagascar rosewood bridge carries a compensated saddle. An integrated mini ebony tornavoz adds a touch of depth and focus at the soundhole.

Sound

This spruce topped Scott offers exceptional balance, projection, and tonal sophistication. The trebles are clear and singing, with a bell-like quality that carries beautifully in the room, and the first string in particular is a true vocalist that seems to draw the music out of you. The midrange has warmth and density, while the basses provide a deep, supportive foundation without ever becoming heavy or overpowering.

What stands out most in playing is how even and predictable the guitar is across every string and position. There are no wild notes to tame and no wolfy spots that shout, which frees you to focus entirely on making music rather than managing the instrument. The mini ebony tornavoz helps stabilize and focus the main air resonance, contributing additional warmth and richness while maintaining the openness and immediacy that make Scott guitars so compelling. The result is a voice that is both powerful and lyrical, capable of filling a concert space while still responding beautifully to delicate touch.

Playability

Scott’s neck profile is slim, comfortable, and extremely natural in the hand, paired with a low action setup that makes the guitar effortless to play. The action here is genuinely low yet remarkably hard to make buzz, even when the instrument is pushed hard, and the tall frets make it easy to find your place without staring down at the fingerboard. This one is a full 650 mm scale with a 52 mm nut, though Scott is equally known as a master of building smaller scale instruments to a player’s exact specification.

The raised African ebony fingerboard with 20th fret extension provides excellent access to the upper register, opening up repertoire that ventures high up the neck. The armrest improves long-term comfort while helping the top vibrate more freely, and the side sound port with adjustable magnetic cover allows the player to tailor how much direct sound reaches the ear. Altogether, the guitar feels lively, responsive, and highly refined under the hands.

Excellent. Includes the maker’s signed certificate.