Taran Guitars Model Comparison - Tirga Mhor & Tirga Beag (Italian/African Blackwood)

We’ve gotten a lot of questions about the dimensions and tonal differences of two specific models from Taran Guitars that we have offered previously, so we decided to have Dustin bring his personal Tirga Beag to compare to our newly arrived Tirga Mhor - both of course with the same species of tonewoods as well as same alloy and gauge strings (Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb 12-53). Italian spruce for the soundboard brings a beautiful balance of sweetness and headroom while the African Blackwood provides a deep, wide frequency response.

The biggest differences here are body length, scale length(s) and frets-to-body. Both the lower bout widths and maximum body depths for these two guitars are within a half of an inch, so nearly identical. The Mhor has a 12-fret body joint and bridge placement, while the Beag has a 14-fret configuration. The Mhor has a 20” or 510mm long body while the Beag is closer to an OM at 19.5” or 495mm. The scale lengths of this particular Mhor are 25”-25.6” - or 636mm to 650mm - and Dustin’s Beag is 25” even - or 635mm.

The differences in behavior and tone we think are pretty significant, but ultimately just different flavors of good! Rory’s Tirga Mhor model is maybe one of his biggest claims to fame, as it’s round tone and sustain are unlike any guitar we have encountered thanks to its frequent use of a slight multi-scale and 12-fret placement on a fairly wide lower bout. It has a fullness that envelopes you and the trebles are extra thick thanks to it’s 12th-fret placement. According to Dustin, the Tirga Beag is equally loud and projecting but more familiar to maneuver thanks to it’s 14-fret placement. Its response is more immediate, focused and slightly less ethereal in the overtones and yet it still carries the same pleasingly round treble. Dustin wanted this, as he desired a guitar that could easily handle up-tempo songs and provide a quick, punchy midrange for soloing as well. Rory braced the soundboard accordingly and obliged Dustin’s request for a 25” short scale and dubbed it the “Tirga Beag D.F” model.

Like all Taran guitars, the individual build is tailored to the player. Rory and co. have built guitars for many heavy-handed Celtic-trad players as well as softer, more nuanced fingerstylists such as Martin Simpson. This experience will be used to create a sound and response that is ideal for the individual client. For more info, email Alan at www.cedarrockstudio.com , for best listening experience we highly recommend using good quality headphones.

More info at www.taranguitars.co.uk

Dustin's full arrangement of "Englishman in New York" by Sting here:
   • "Englishman in New York" (Sting) Fing...