"My instrument making is animated by the belief that there are "ideal" designs that make sounds we innately want to hear, more or less expressed in certain designs and models of instruments, which are the culmination of knowledge from many hands and minds, over much time ...that an instruments particular acoustic appeal is the result of the accumulation of many small insights, combined with occasional leaps, that have evolved, refined and have established a designs important elements." - Wesley Brandt The late Wes Brandt was a highly regarded and well known luthier from Portland Oregon. Having produced a number of fine Mandolins, Guitars and Gambas - he had a very keen eye for detail, classic aestheticism mixed with his own personality, and a well tuned ear for a myriad of detail-centric instruments. The small body #49 that we have here is one such instrument that well notes Brandt's call for the craft. He had a personal preference for the smaller body guitars, this being 000/OM-esque in appearance with a balanced and full tone - one can appreciate his passion. This particular model features a fine Cedar top with a stunning three piece Brazilian Rosewood - fully bound in nice multi ply maple binding. A tall and well designed ebony bridge seat a nice tall bone saddle. Internally, it has a V braced back with ladder supports, the top with scalloped X bracing (about 1 3/8" from the sound hole), the bridge plate very thin and interestingly made of rosewood. The lower bout measures 15" across, the waist at 9.5", the upper at 11.5". The depth at the base end at 4 1/8" and 3 3/8" in depth at the heel. The neck is made of mahogany with an ebony fingerboard and is designed with a 25.4" scale length. The profile has a very soft V feel to it, like that of an old Martin, a bit on the slimmer side, measuring .82" in depth at the first position and tapering up to only about .94" at the twelfth fret. It has a 1 11/16" nut width. A matching Brazilian peg head veneer, this guitar is nicely understated as was Brandt's general preference, an aesthetic preference shared by many players. The neck, fingerboard and frets are straight and in excellent condition with no signs of play wear - the action measuring a very comfortable 5/64" in height at the twelfth fret of the sixth string, and 4/64" on the first. Includes original hardshell case.