Gregory Miller, 2024

Most guitars are built to impress a hall; № 80 was also built to spoil the player. A 640mm scale, cedar and Indian rosewood guitar with a side soundport, it is the sister instrument to the spruce No. 79 we previously represented.

A direct protégé of Jeffrey Elliott and Cyndy Burton, Portland-based luthier Gregory Miller carries their legacy forward with refined craftsmanship, elegant design, and the warmth and openness that characterize Elliott-inspired guitars.

Comfort is the headline here. The 640mm scale length makes stretches shorter, shifts easier, and long practice sessions noticeably less fatiguing, all without sacrificing tension or projection. Paired with a 53mm nut, the string spacing remains generous for clean right hand articulation while the fretting hand enjoys the relaxed reach of the shorter scale. Players coming from a standard 650mm instrument tend to feel the difference within the first minute.

Then there is the side soundport. It acts as a personal monitor, sending the guitar's voice directly up to the player. You hear exactly what your audience hears, in real time, which makes playing this instrument an unusually intimate and rewarding experience.

Sound

This is cedar the way the Elliott lineage intends it: warm, round, and immediately responsive, with a singing quality that flatters the player at every dynamic level. The main air resonance sits at G, giving the bass register a grounded, powerful foundation while keeping the midrange clear and woody.

The trebles carry that characteristic cedar sweetness, blooming easily under the fingers with color and sustain. The guitar responds instantly to a light touch, yet rewards commitment: the harder you lean into it, the more it opens up.

Playability

With the shorter scale, the comfortable 53mm nut, and the soundport feeding the sound straight back to the player, this is an instrument that feels effortless in the hands, one where technique serves music rather than fighting the fingerboard. It invites longer sessions and repays them.

The craftsmanship reflects Gregory's background in furniture and interior design, with clean lines and flawless joinery throughout. The Klaus Scheller tuning machines are a premium touch, turning with the precision that has made Scheller a favorite among the world's finest makers. A particularly classy detail: copper fret markers at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets, subtle and handsome against the fingerboard. The side soundport is smoothly executed and integrates naturally into the design.

Specifications

Label: No. 80 (2024)

Gregory Miller was born and raised in western Kansas and has been working with his hands since childhood. His early fascination with fine woodworking led him to study design and furniture making at Kansas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Interior Architecture in 1988. After more than a decade practicing interior design in Portland, Oregon, he transitioned to building custom furniture full time, eventually discovering his passion for classical guitar making.

In 2003, after meeting Jeffrey Elliott and Cyndy Burton at the Northwest Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit, Miller began studying directly with them and has maintained a close mentorship ever since. His guitars are known for their precision, balance, and clarity, with an aesthetic that reflects decades of experience in architecture and fine craftsmanship. He builds one instrument at a time from his home workshop in Portland, focusing on tonal consistency, refined design, and lasting musicality.

Excellent condition. The top is in near mint condition with only the slightest signs of play. The back and sides are flawless, and the neck is impression-less and gorgeous.