The Long Scale Parlor—Bedell Dealer Megan Peters Makes Her Dream Come True
Acoustic Music’s Megan Peters is no stranger to exceptional guitars. Known for her passion for both sound and craftsmanship, Peters has now brought her vision to life with a custom Bedell Parlor guitar, available exclusively through her Salt Lake City-based shop, Acoustic Music SLC. Featuring unique modifications that cater to her playing style, this Special Edition 14 Fret Parlor model in European spruce and Honduran Mahogany has quickly become a favorite.
Megan’s journey with Bedell began with her love for the Bedell 1964 Parlor, a guitar known for its sweet, focused tone, but as she freely admits, she’s “more of a classic basher than a delicate fingerstylist.” In her custom build, she opted for a longer 25.5” scale with a 14-fret neck, blending the comfort of a parlor body with the brightness and responsiveness of a long-scale instrument.
“I do mostly cowboy chords,” Peters explains. “While I can handle a 1 ¾” nut, I prefer a smaller one because I’m mostly strumming. The result is a guitar that feels like a comfortable OM scale but in a more compact body.”
The 14-fret parlor features back and sides in either Honduran Mahogany or East Indian Rosewood, both paired with premium European spruce, or Adirondack spruce tops. True to Bedell’s sustainability mission, no clear-cut woods are used in the production of these guitars.
One of the most striking features is the ‘mountain’ inlay, an artistic representation of the Wasatch range, fashioned from Hawaiian koa, reconstituted turquoise, and figured maple. “I live in Olympus Cove, and I look at the mountains every night. It’s a part of who I am, and I love that this guitar reflects that,” Peters shares.
This build isn’t just about aesthetics. Peters worked with Bedell to ensure the 14-fret parlor also delivers on playability and performance. The long scale, coupled with a 1 11/16” nut, results in a guitar with surprising projection and a bold voice.
“It’s punchy, man. It. Is. Punchy,” she says of the instrument’s sound.
These guitars have already garnered significant attention. In fact, the first mahogany model sold just two hours after arriving at the shop. The rosewood edition, with its more complex tonal range, has also become a hit.
Additional features include a solid peghead (an upgrade from the traditional slotted headstock), nickel button Waverly tuners, and a custom teardrop OM-style pickguard installed upon purchase. Each guitar is meticulously hand-voiced to ensure Bedell’s Sound Optimized® tonal standards are met.
“The honeyed Adirondack tops, the straight-grained mahogany, the luxurious rosewood—it’s all so beautiful,” Peters enthuses. “I wanted these guitars to be functional, comfortable, and easy to play, and they’ve exceeded my expectations.”
These Special Edition 14 Fret Parlors are now available at Acoustic Music SLC. To experience the magic of this guitar for yourself, call 801.531.7066 or visit their website at www.acousticslc.com.