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 concert instrument built for projection and versatility across folk, country, and fingerstyle; the Bahia Parlor is a smaller, intimately-voiced studio and collecting piece designed for refined nuance and pre-war acoustic character. Choose the Dreadnought if you need volume, cut, and all-purpose playability; choose the Parlor if you prioritize hand comfort, recording detail, and historical tone.

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

  • Full dreadnought size delivers greater projection and volume for live performance and ensemble settings
  • Larger body (19.67 x 14.25 inches) produces the deep, resonant low end and powerful sustain expected from a dreadnought platform
  • Versatile across both fingerstyle and flatpick techniques with responsive dynamics across the frequency spectrum
  • More accessible upper fretboard range with 18 frets suited to varied playing styles

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

  • Smaller parlor body fits comfortably in hands for extended fingerstyle sessions and studio work
  • Rare, pre-CITES Brazilian rosewood aged 50+ years delivers crystallized tone with extraordinary depth and resonance
  • Refined appointments including ebony fretboard, koa binding, mosaic inlays, and Waverly slotted tuners with gold hardware
  • Handmade in Oregon by master luthiers with heirloom-quality construction and limited-edition collectibility
Bottom line: Buy the Dreadnought if you perform live, record in group settings, or need a workhorse that handles multiple styles with projection. Buy the Parlor if you value intimate studio tone, hand comfort for long sessions, and investment-grade craftsmanship with rare materials and historical acoustic character.

Frequently asked questions

What is the key physical difference between these two?

The Dreadnought is a full-sized concert guitar at 19.67 inches in body length with 14.25-inch lower bout width, designed for projection. The Parlor is a smaller, more intimate body format optimized for comfort and refined studio tones, suited to fingerstyle and close-miked recording.

How do the tonewoods differ?

Both use Adirondack spruce tops and Brazilian rosewood. The Parlor's rosewood is exceptionally rare: pre-CITES, legally documented, and aged 50+ years in Spanish storage before Bedell acquired it in 2013, resulting in crystallized 'music wood' with unparalleled resonance. The Dreadnought uses standard Brazilian rosewood back and sides without the extended aging history.

Which is better for live performance?

The Dreadnought's larger body and full dreadnought platform deliver greater volume, projection, and sustain needed for live venues and ensemble playing. The Parlor is voiced for studio intimacy and may not project as effectively in loud environments.

Are these collectible instruments?

Both are handcrafted by Bedell's master luthiers and represent premium craftsmanship. The Parlor holds distinct collectible value due to its limited-edition status, pre-CITES rosewood provenance, refined appointments, and heirloom-quality materials that may appreciate over time.

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