Brook Guitars Torridge

Top: Sitka Spruce
Back/Sides: American Red Gum
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Ebony
Neck: Brazilian Mahogany
Headstock: Brazilian Rosewood
Tuning pegs: Ebony
Case: Hiscox

I ordered this guitar when I visited the workshop in November 2004. I collected it in July 2005. The guys at Brook had estimated a 10 month wait, but it was 8 and a half in the end (how often does THAT happen?). Predicatbly, I'm very happy with the results....I've waited 4 months before writing this review, as I know how the initial honeymoon period can cloud judgement. So, onwards...

In all reality, how can I not give this category a 10? I literally hand-picked the pieces of wood for the top, back, sides and headstock from assorted piles put in front of me at the workshop. Having chose the shape I wanted, I worked with Andy and Simon at Brook to spec out every aspect of the guitar - the tuners, the headstock, the lack of inlay on the neck etc... This really is a custom guitar, built to the exact design we worked out.

I exclusively play fingerstyle on this guitar - you won't get anywhere near it with a plectrum. The small body responds fantastically to nuances in playing, and you can literally feel the back and sides vibrate with the guitar sat in your lap. In general all Brook guitars seem to have a very unique voice, and for me this is the most pleasing sound I've heard from any acoustic guitar. I can't think of an element of the sound that I'd refine if I had the option. The bass growls when you dig in, the mids are strong, and the highs are the clearest I've heard. Incredible sound, admired by all who play/hear the guitar, and a great projection from what is essentially a 00 shaped body. There's not much more I can see here...

How well was the guitar set up at the factory? What factory? Better make that 'workshop'....

I believe the guitar had been completed about a week before I went to collect. When I arrived at the workshop I was presented the guitar with a very low action, with Simon on hand to make any setup changes there and then. We ended up adding 3 shims under the bridge to raise the action, with a couple more thrown in the case to make any future adjustments (none made so far). How much more can you ask than for the guitar to be setup by the guys who built it for you while you're waiting?

The neck is exceptionally comfortable to play, slim, and finished perfectly. The join at the neck is a work of art - for a guitar without a cutaway, I can easily fret at the 17/18th frets.

In terms of general workmanship, this Torridge is of the very highest standard. Everything about the guitar screams quality, as you'd expect from makers such as Simon, Andy, and the guys at Brook. The only 'flaw' I can find is that the two markers on the side of the neck at the 12th fret don't quite align, but if anything it reminds me just how hand-made the guitar is - I've ended up liking it.

Despite it's looks, this definitely isn't a guitar that will be looked at and not played. I've been fairly rough with it at times, and the finish is holding up great. The tuners are top quality too. The Hiscox that came with the guitar is an excellent case, and I fully intend to take this guitar out with me.

I initially came across Brook guitars through the web. After a few weeks of reading everything I could and listening to as many soundbytes as possible, I phoned Simon to make some general enquiries and was invited down to the workshop to have a look round and play some of the guitars. The hospitality of the guys down there is top notch. Simon dedicated several hours of his day to me when I first visited, and I was blown away by the efforts they were going to to make sure I got the xact guitar I wanted - even to the extent of phoning their wood suppliers when they thought they were out of American Red Gum(!). I left the workshop 100% satisfied that I would get a guitar of the highest quality.

Several months down the line, Simon emailed me some pictures to show me what the guitar looked like mid-build - how's that for customer service? When I visited again to pick up the guitar the guys were every bit as welcoming. Since collecting, I've emailed a few times with minor queries and have always had a reply back within a matter of hours. I've also been told that anytime I'm in Devon I can pop the guitar in for a free setup. This really is the pinacle of customer support, it can't get any better than this.

I'd been contemplating a high-end acoustic for a few months before I visited Brook. In the run-up I'd played all kinds, Martins, Taylors, Maton etc....believe me when I say that no factory-made guitar will come close to what a hand-made guitar can deliver. Without doubt the best guitar-related decision I've ever made. I should also mention tha t of all the things I specified for the guitar, only the headstock veneer and tuning pegs added to the cost. All of the other wood choices were classed 'as standard'.

In all honesty I'd sell my car before I sold this guitar - it will hopefully stay with me until I've played it into the ground. I've thought many times since buying it what I'd do differently 'next time', and the honest answer is 'nothing'. Having waited 9 months for the guitar and spent alot of money doing it, that's a really great thing to be able to say. Would I like another Brook? Absolutely. Could I justify any other acoustic if it meant playing this one less? I don't think so(!).

2001 015-appointed model.
Solid European Spruce top, solid Flamed Maple back, sides and neck.
Bound ebony fingerboard, ebony veneered headstock.
Abalone top border and rosette.
Sunburst top, back, sides and neck.
12 Frets to the body, 19 frets overall.
Slot-head, gold waverly-type tuners.
Diamond and dot fret markers.
Electrics installed (though can't see which).
So beautiful, it makes me weep.

Sounds...well, despite what the Harmony-Central notes say about nothing being perfect, it sounds perfect. Balanced, bell-like, smooth without being to bassy or trebly. Suits fingerpicking, strumming and flatpicking. Each string is distinct. Beautiful.

It is beautifully, flawlessly put together. Pure artistry.

The guitar feels solid enough to withstand anything. It would certainly withstand live playing, though I wouldn't use it without backup: mainly because it is far too beautiful to risk using live.

Though I didn't buy this guitar from Brook, I emailed them with the serial number and some questions. They emailed me back less than 10 hours later with a full list of specs including timber, date of manufacture and who the guitar was built for. And an offer of a tour of the workshop if I happen to be in Exeter (and as I used to live there, I will be! I should warn my bank manager now really...) Imagine getting that kind of service out of any one of the "big boys".

I have been playing for close to 20 years. I have about 25 guitars, though my collection seems fluid, including (among others) a couple of Gibsons several Fenders, an Avalon Silver series, a little Martin, a Variax and a surprisingly good Crafter.
I bought this guitar after a disspiriting day spent in Leeds trying out many different (and all uninspiring) Martins, Taylors, Santa Cruzes and Guilds. I popped into Sound Control on my way home, and there it was. I played one note and knew I had found my perfect guitar. After 20 years of looking. No kidding.
If it were lost or stolen, some sort of therapy and/or physical reprisal would be necessary. I would buy it again in a heartbeat (well, in about 10 months as there is a waiting list...)
It sounds perfect, looks perfect, feels perfect. My only criticism is that I don't ever play any of my other guitars any more. I might just sell them and buy more Brooks...
Check out their website. Sell everything you own. You won't be disappointed, I promise.

I bought this second hand Torridge, made in 2001, unseen purely on reputation.

When I opened the case I was immediately captivated by its elegant appearance - the top is a very nice piece of Sitka spruce bound by distinctive crow's feet purfling, a nice change from herringbone.

Its something like 00 sized and when I removed it from the case and sat down with it I was impressed with its physical balance and relative lack of weight. The back and sides are nice Indian Rosewood with a slightly lighter hue than seen on Martins, for example. The neck is mahogany with a very elegant volute carved into it where the headstock begins.

The fingerboard is ebony as is the bridge. The scale is short, something like 630mm, and the fingerboard width is 44mm. What struck me most though was the shallow neck profile, I measured as being a shade under 20mm which is pretty thin.

The machines were unusually the mini variety, Gotoh, which feel nice and positive. I'm always keen to replace chrome tuners with gold ones but these seem unobtrusive and will probably be left alone.

Its sort of a plain Jane in appearance and there's nothing exotic about it but there's something about its slightly rounded take on Martin's 00 style and with the toned look of its finish and the distinctive touches that impresses the eye - there's no pearl or anything but its aesthetics are just right and so I give it a 10.

Sundwise it has a wonderfully warm 'woody' tone that is very well balanced - it reminds me of my very early Fylde Oberon. Its very English, the antithesis of the taut Martin tone. The treble could be a bit more distinct in the mix as it were, the top E string in particular sometimes sounds a teeny bit dull although I am experimenting with strings with this in mind.

Its got lots of projection and responds well to a light touch - it doesn't seem to like being driven hard though.

Its sound has lots of character but is very distinctive and may well turn some people off because its not very strident, so only an 8, sounds great but make sure its your cup of tea first.

The action on this was fine, plenty of room for adjustment anyway, no problems here.

I did notice a couple of manufacturing flaws however .. the dots on the side of the fingerboard at the 12th fret are misaligned. The fingerboard end is not glued to the top right at the end. The finishing around this area is a bit sloppy too. Also, althoguh perfectly sound and I have no worries about it, I was surprised to see that on the treble side there is a gap between the bridge and the top, presumably where glue was not applied or not enough at any rate and the joint has starved and pulled up.

Otherwise everything is flawless but the above are nto what I would have expected to see.

The frets are nicely finished and playability is superb, string spacing at the bridge perfect for fingerstyle guitar, surely its target market.

I have to knock some poitns of this category for these flaws though.

Its all very well put together and there's no reason to think it would not stand up to the rigours of gigging as well as any other acoustic.

Been playing 37 years, always have 6-8 quality acoustics around and having settled down with this for a little while now its obvious that along with a couple of other favourites this little guitar is going nowhere - its right up there among the best I've played and I'm really glad I took a chance on it. Even new these are incredibly low priced for what they are and I would heartily recommend one to anybody, but especially those who think all great sounding guitars have to confrom to Martin's sonic blueprint.

This guitar was custom built for me in late 2003 by the artists at Brook Guitars in Devon, England. It has 12 frets clear to the body. All woods are solid with the exception of the headstock overlay which is an ebony veneer. The top is a relatively thick, tight grained, light colored spruce. The back and sides are of solid yew -- which has the distinction of being the most dense soft wood (i.e., conifer) known, as well as the traditional wood of the English longbow. The neck is one piece mahogany. The fretboard is ebony. The binding is rosewood. The headstock is slotted. There are no electronics. The finish is a perfectly polished high-gloss mirror. The body style is approximately that of a Martin 00 smallbody. The depth of the body is 3.9" at the tail block. The tuners are Schaller 3-on-a-plate machines with a 16:1 gear ratio. The neck was custom made with a 1-13/16" nut width and a 2-5/16" width at the 12th fret. The scale length is 24.75". The workmanship is absolutely flawless. The case is made by Hiscox and is a crushed velvet interior with a somewhat thinnish plastic exterior. It holds the guitar very securely. The case latches are very well designed. When I received my guitar from John at Shoreline Acoustic music (www.samusic.com), there were two additional sets of strings, a polish cloth, and an electronic tuner included. John runs an excellent operation!

This guitar exceeds even my most optimistic expectations. I ordered it for the purpose of playing fingerstyle folk, blues, and some classical. The instrument is superb in terms of its resonance, note seperation, and balance. The volume is naturally less than that of a large body (dreadnought or jumbo), but apropos to its size. The bass response is clear without being thin. The treble response is even and bright without being shrill throughout the length of the scale. It sounds every bit as musical at the 12th fret as it does at the first. The instrument seems very capable of a variety of nuances of sound. It's a very broad palette. There is nothing I dislike about the sound. It's simply beautiful.

The guys at Brook (Simon and Andy) are artists. Period. I am in awe.

This instrument will never see a gig. It should last generations.

I've just received it, so I have not tested the warranty. On the other hand, any question I've had has been promptly and thouroughly answered. I get a very friendly vibe. I'm not the least bit worried.

I've been playing on and off for many years. I've owned a variety of instruments: Larrivee, Martin, Taylor, Lowden, Kenny Hill, Goya, etc. Some I've kept, others I haven't. This guitar is one of those rare works that I would never willingly party with. I would (and still might) buy another without hesitation.

Lastly, I'm a bit reluctant to share this opinion with you. Tossed between possibly letting out a well kept secret and giving these guys their due, I've chosen to do my part to acknowledge real artistry. It's a rare thing, and they are worthy. I just hope I get my next one before they either get too pricey or build some big factory.

My second Brook Torridge!!!!! See other review.
Why have two guitars of the same model? Well, this one is quite different from the first. This one was custom made to my specification, a gift from my wife to mark our 25th wedding anniversary. As with all Brooks it was made in Devon, England. The body (Indian rosewood, spruce top) is identical in shape and size to all Torridge models, however this one has a 12 fret to body neck with an exquisite ebony finger board. It has a slotted headstock fitted with Waverley tuners with iveroid pegs. It is finished in a dark sunburst with abalone edging around the body, sound-hole, each side of the neck and around the perimeter of the headstock. The 12th fret has a personilsed inlay of various colours of abalone. In brief the instrument is a work of art and a credit to Andy, Simon and the guys at Brook. Came with a Hiscox hard shell case.

The 12 fret neck gives a slightly different tone to my other Torridge, perhaps mellower? Difficult to describe other than beautiful.

Brook guitars are in a class of their own when it comes to 'feel'. Superb, easy action with ultra smooth feel to the neck.

This instrument will have an easy life with me, I expect it to be a family heirloom!!!!

Fast and friendly. Warranty is for life to the original purchaser.

See previous comments. This is a truly wonderful instrument. I am indeed fortunate.

The Torridge is small-ish, roughly equivalent to a Martin OO or OOO. There are 20 frets overall, and the neck joins the body at the 14th. Mine was made in February 2002 in Devon, England, and it's an 010 model, which is Brook's designation for standard decoration - the 015 models are flashier and pricier.

The top is a very pale and thick sheet of solid European spruce, complemented by back and sides made of English yew, which is a stunning wood - banded, rippling, multihued and knotty - yum! The neck is the mahogany with a beautifully carved heel and volute and topped with a jet black ebony board. The bridge is Indian rosewood.

Some nice touches include rosewood bridge pins and the use of walnut for the binding. There's a herringbone pattern round the edge of the top and the soundhole, but it's an unusual take on the standard Martin type of herringbone, with much longer strokes.

The tuners are chrome Gotohs, strings are Elixir Polyweb Lights (12-53). Frets are thin, precisely fitted, and well polished, with no sharp ends. The nut is bone, as is the saddle, which has a compensation for the G-string. Mother-of-pearl is used for the dot markers (with Brook's trademark triple-dot at the twelfth) and also on the bridge pins and endpin.

The Torridge comes with a top-notch Hiscox Liteflite case that hugs the guitar like a mother hugs her baby. Brook even provide some shims in the case, should you want to raise the action.

In my quest for a really special instrument I tried a lot of high-end acoustics including stuff by Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Lowden and Yairi. I even played some "silly money" guitars by Santa Cruz, Collings and Froggy Bottom. In my opinion the Brook tops them all. I'm not saying the others weren't wonderful (they were), but the Brook has a unique character that I loved.

Bass is tight and resonant, obviously not as brash and powerful as on a larger guitar like a dreadnought or jumbo, but pretty substantial for the body size. The treble is sweet and smooth, with no hint of shrillness. The mid-range is just something else. I don't know what's going on there, but it's amazing. Each string has it's own space to ring out, especially in the bass, and harmonics sound pure and bell-like. It's also surprisingly loud, with plenty of sustain.

It responds fantastically to the touch: the merest brush of your fingers and it's singing its heart out. Hammer-ons and pull-offs are so positive and well-defined that they almost sound like picked notes.

I always play fingerstyle - Celtic and English folk, blues, classical (yes, I know I should use nylons for that!) and a bit of rag when I'm feeling courageous. I've seen a guy play it with a pick and he was equally inspired. The Torridge handles everything you can throw at it.

Workmanship is superb, both inside and out. There's a tiny scratch on one upper bout and a graze on the nut. You can also see a little of the glue where the heel joins the body, but I'm being really picky here. You can probably find a better made guitar, but this is pretty darned close to perfection.

The action on this thing is lower than a snail's undercarriage. And yet it doesn't buzz. I thought Taylor had brought acoustic playability to a pinnacle, but the Torridge is noticeably better. I've started re-learning tunes I thought I couldn't play ... and finding that I can.

I haven't rated this since only time will really tell, but given the way it's built, I think this one's going to last.

I e-mailed Brook twice to let them know I was very happy and to ask a few questions about the materials used. Both times they replied within 24 hours. I was told everything I wanted to know and invited round for coffee, a tour of their workshop, plus a free setup for the guitar (but I'm not letting anyone alter that action!). How many other companies would do this?

Plus there's a lifetime warranty.

I've been playing for eight years. I also own a Seagull SM6 Dreadnought, a Godin LGXT, Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro and a Squier Strat.

This is both the most playable and the best sounding acoustic guitar I've ever laid my hands on, with the possible exception of a Cedar / Red Gum Brook Tamar I played about twelve months ago. It's more playable than a Taylor and better sounding than a Lowden.

Two other people nearly bought this Torridge in the half hour before I did (one of them even tried to put a deposit down on it). If someone had filmed us chatting about this guitar we would have seemed like an advert for Brook. What astonished me about this instrument is that as soon as I started playing something, these guys would simply stop in mid-sentence and watch until I'd finished - and it wasn't my talent they were admiring! I tried this several times, switching their conversation off simply by picking the strings. I've never seen a guitar that can do this before.

If it were stolen I'd probably need counselling, and so would my victim. I'd ring Brook up and custom order another Torridge. I might tweak the specification a little (walnut headstock facing, perhaps), but I wouldn't change anything major for fear of losing the instrument's character.

In case you're wondering, no, I don't work for Brook, I just know quality when I see it and I'm happy to evangelise for anyone that can make a guitar this good. If you're in the market for a quality handmade guitar you'd be missing out if you didn't try a Brook. Check them out at www.brookguitars.com.

This 6 string acoustic instrument was made in Devon England. It's about the same size as the Martin OOO. Brook produce a range of instruments and it is possible to choose specification to suit. My guitar has sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck with a super smooth ebony finger board. Tuner are chrome Gotoh. The binding is, rather unusually, mahogany ( I think) giving the instrument an rather special appearance and a relief from the generally common white plastic type. It came complete with a Hiscox hard shell case. Absolutely superb!

Purely acoustic it suits all styles. I play mainly finger style which it suits perfectly. Having said that it sounds great with a pick, and my son, who plays a lot of jazz, gets brilliant sounds from it. Descibing guitar tone is difficult. I would say this Brook has the best tone I have ever heard from an acoustic guitar, and I have several high end acoustics in my collection.

This guitar played perfectly 'straight out of the box'. The action is fabulous and has a rather special feel. I understand this is achieved by eye/hand final shaping of the neck/fingerboard and incorporating a compensating profile, this results in the slinkiest action I have ever felt on an acoustic guitar --- TRY ONE YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.
Finish is perfect.

There is nothing which leads me to believe this instrument would not stand up to the vigours of a professional musicians life. It will therefore have a very easy life with me !! Time will tell.

Brook are a relatively small concern. I've kept in touch by email and their response is swift and friendly. I've not had a problem with the guitar but feel confident, should anything arise, it will be dealt with in a helpful and efficient manner. I believe it is warranted for life to the original purchaser, I have not checked this out.

I've played guitar for 40 years!!!! I have a small collection of good instruments, Martin, Taylor, Ovation, Takamine, Fender, Gibson, Yamaha. I love them all but none play, sound, feel as good as this Brook. I always avoided British instruments, until now, the Brook Torridge really is as good as it gets in my opinion.

UK hand-made 6-string acoustic guitar, built between September and November 1998. Solid spruce top, glorious untinted birds eye maple back and sides. Pick-up fitted. Neck is mahogany, with ebony fetboard. Small, Martin 000 size body with traditional pinned rosewood bridge. Gotoh chrome sealed tuners. Comes complete with Hiscox hard shell case. A high-quality, but plain vanilla acoustic made out of a spectacular piece of wood.

Sharp and crisp, thanks to all-maple body, Good for picking and strumming.

The guitar has a custom finish, in that I was at the workshop when they produced the unlacquered body and experimented with a clear finish which makes the birds eyes really stand out. The build quality is excellent, with a relatively low action.

Rock solid as far as acoustic guitars go, with strong bracing and a good thick finish. It should prove very dependable and could certainly be used without a back up

Brook make around half their guitars to customer order and the remainder for retail via a few dealers. They experiment with woods and finishes, hence the very unusual natural birds eye maple finish of this guitar. Customer support is exceptional and they are great to deal with. Should I have any trouble with either of my Brooks or need a new set-up etc, they would willingly oblige.

I have never seen a pale spruce topped acoustic with a natural birds eye maple finish before. It looks sensational and plays every bit as well as my Martin 00016 SPTR or my Taylor 714 - but costs appreicably less. It is unique, so its loss would be tragic as I could never get a replacement with the same wood. I would try though...