BHDADBR vs BHPADBR — Compare

Bedell Bahia Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish vs Bedell Bahia Parlor Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

The Bahia Dreadnought is a full-sized instrument designed for maximum projection and volume across folk, country, and recording applications, while the Bahia Parlor is a smaller, more intimate body suited for fingerstyle detail work and studio sessions. Choose the Dreadnought if you need commanding stage presence and broad tonal range; choose the Parlor if you prioritize comfort, portability, and expressive nuance.

No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.

Bedell Bahia Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

$6,990.00
View Bedell Bahia Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

Bedell Bahia Parlor Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

$6,990.00
View Bedell Bahia Parlor Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

Specs side by side

Bedell Bahia Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural FinishBedell Bahia Parlor Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish
Price$6,990.00$6,990.00
BrandBedell GuitarsBedell Guitars
BodyDreadnoughtParlor
Body TypeHollowHollow
Scale25.5" Scale25" Scale
Strings66
Frets20 Frets18 Frets
FretboardEbonyEbony
NeckMahoganyMahogany
String TypeSteelSteel
Year20252025
ConditionNewNew

Why choose Bedell Bahia Dreadnought Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

  • Larger dreadnought body delivers greater projection and volume for live performance and recording
  • Wider lower bout and deeper body depth produce more powerful low-end resonance
  • Versatile for both fingerstyle and flatpick playing styles
  • Better suited for country and singer-songwriter applications requiring presence

Why choose Bedell Bahia Parlor Adirondack Spruce-Brazilian Rosewood Natural Finish

  • Smaller parlor body is more comfortable to hold for extended fingerstyle sessions
  • Pre-CITES Brazilian rosewood aged 50+ years delivers crystallized tonal depth
  • Limited-edition status with heirloom-quality details including ebony fretboard and koa binding
  • Ideal for studio work and intimate recording where subtlety matters more than projection
Bottom line: Buy the Dreadnought if you perform live or need a workhorse recording guitar with broad dynamic range. Buy the Parlor if you're a fingerstyle specialist, studio player, or collector who values comfort and tonal refinement over volume.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main physical difference between these two models?

The Dreadnought features a larger body (19.67 inches long, 14.25 inch lower bout) designed for maximum projection and volume. The Parlor uses a smaller, more compact body proportioned for comfort and intimate playing. Both share the same 25-inch scale length and Adirondack Spruce top with Brazilian Rosewood back and sides.

Which guitar is better for fingerstyle playing?

Both are excellent for fingerstyle, but the Parlor is specifically designed around responsive fingerstyle nuance with its smaller, more articulate body. The Dreadnought also excels at fingerstyle but adds flatpick versatility and greater volume projection that fingerstyle players may not need.

What makes the Parlor's Brazilian Rosewood special?

The Parlor uses pre-CITES Brazilian Rosewood legally documented as having been aged over 50 years in Spanish storage before Bedell acquired it in 2013. This extended aging has crystallized the wood into what Bedell calls music wood, delivering exceptional resonance and depth unavailable in younger rosewood.

Which guitar projects better for live performance?

The Dreadnought is designed for greater projection and volume across the frequency spectrum, making it the clear choice for live stages and larger venues. The Parlor's smaller body is optimized for detail and nuance rather than carrying power to an audience.

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