The Rathbone R3SKCE combines the larger dimensions of the Grand Auditorium with the breathtaking tonewood of koa for a spectacular result. A bright, open, and sparkling tone comes from the combination of solid Englemann spruce for the top and koa for the back and sides. This gives the guitar a powerful and linear sound, ideal for both the heavy strummer and the articulate fingerpicker.
A perfect all-rounder, the No. 3 has the same scale length as the Orchestra Model, but its body dimensions are closer to those of a dreadnought. The larger body naturally delivers a stronger bass tone without sacrificing clarity—that's the strength of a Grand Auditorium. However, the larger body doesn't mean this guitar is any less easy to play; quite the opposite is true. Its narrow waist allows the guitar to rest comfortably on the knee or hang easily over the shoulders.
Solid Sitka Spruce top
Sitka spruce is one of the most traditional woods used for guitar tops. This is due to its stiffness and ideal strength-to-weight ratio. Thanks to these characteristics, Sitka spruce offers a very dynamic sensitivity and a rich tone with many harmonic overtones. This makes it exceptionally well-suited to both powerful strumming and delicate fingerpicking.
Koa side and back
Koa is considered an exotic wood, and given its Hawaiian origins, it's easy to understand why. It's not only a sight to behold, but the tone easily matches its visual beauty. A guitar made with koa benefits greatly from being played. New koa can sometimes sound a bit harsh and stiff, but the more the guitar is played, the better it will sound. Once a koa guitar is sufficiently broken in, the tone opens up completely, becoming pleasant, rich, and clear with an abundance of resonance. The bass, in particular, becomes rich and full, while the overall sound truly comes alive.
Bone saddles
Bone saddles and/or nut are much denser and therefore retain better tonal qualities. A bone saddle or nut produces a brighter sound with more resonance and a better attack. A bone saddle and/or nut truly brings a guitar to life.
In a short time available