"My journey into the world of guitar craftsmanship began at the tender age of 13, as an eager electric guitar student. Back then, my knowledge of scale lengths was non-existent, but I instinctively felt more at ease with smaller guitars in my grasp. Years later, as an adult, my fascination with the classical guitar emerged. Unfortunately, the one I owned was of mediocre quality and awkward to handle. I was on the lookout for a classical guitar with a smaller neck, something that would fit comfortably in my hands. Though I managed to find a decent one, it wasn't long before I yearned for something of a higher caliber.

To my surprise, my search revealed a stark lack of classical guitars with a scale smaller than 650 mm, far too large for my 8-1/4” handspan. That's when I made a pivotal decision: to build one myself. I started with crafting a ukulele, followed by another. And then, the moment of truth arrived as I completed my first classical guitar with a 633-mm scale. The process was challenging, yet immensely fulfilling, and the outcome was a guitar that played beautifully, exceeding my expectations.

This experience ignited a passion within me to continue crafting guitars, especially for players with smaller or larger hands, who, like me, struggled with standard sizes. In my workshop, each guitar is a labor of love, crafted with only the finest materials. I refuse to compromise on quality, as using subpar materials like 'paint grade' tops would be a disservice to the art of guitar making. Building guitars that aren't typical in size means I often create components like rosettes and bridges from the ground up. It's in these details, these unique nuances, where I find true joy and satisfaction in my work."

David C. Johnson, Founder of Pajarito Guitars