He braces his guitars following Jeffrey Elliott’s open harmonic bars system.
The Aram model takes its inspiration from Hauser guitars.
“I build the guitars in the Torres and Hauser tradition.” When did you start guitar making? Kevin Aram – I started buying electric and acoustic guitars, fixing them up, repairing and selling them, but it was impossible to make a living. Since moving to North Devon in 1991 I have concentrated mainly on the development of classical spruce-top guitars in the Torres and Hauser tradition. José Romanillos helped me a lot when I started building classical guitars. Now, I build guitars based on Jeffrey Elliot’s system of open harmonic bars, using the plans published by G.A.L. I don’t like big guitars. I have noticed that the small-bodied guitars, like the Torres ones, have better projection and a more balanced sound. Which woods do you use? K. A. – I use mainly Indian rosewood for the back and sides, and spruce for the tops. Other choices include maple, ziricote, yew, walnut, Madagascar rosewood, African blackwood, cypress and Brazilian rosewood. I love cypress guitars – I don’t consider them flamenco guitars – but people don’t want them; it’s hard to find customers. People prefer darker woods for the classical guitar. It’s surprising, since various fruitwoods were