Petite 1924
The Petite 1924 is Yun Young Shin’s version of the 1924 Santos Hernández guitar, thoughtfully adapted in size, sound, and story.
The Petite 1924 has a 630mm scale — about 97% the size of the original Santos Hernández model. To maintain a full, open sound despite the smaller body, Yun Young built it with laminated sides, to make it slightly thicker, allowing the tone to project clearly and confidently. Though the body is smaller, and the nut width is slightly reduced (from 51mm to 49mm), the guitar retains the expressive power of a full-size instrument — with added comfort and ease for the player, ensuring the petite model will sing with clarity and strength.
Top: European Spruce
Back/Sides: Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck: Cedar
Varnish: French Polish
Scale: 630mm
Inspired by Santos Hernández
Yun Young Shin about The Petite 1924:
'The Petite 1924 is a deeply personal and commemorative model, inspired by the centennial of the 1924 Santos Hernández guitar. Starting the craft of this guitar in 2024, I wanted to honour this legacy not through replication, but by reimagining it in my own creative voice. That vision comes to life in the rosette — a space where symbolism, history, and personal meaning meet.
The star-like blocks represent 샛별 (morning stars), while arrow motifs and patterns suggest the flowing movement of the Milky Way — a visual tribute to the Korean children’s song 반달 ('Half Moon'), which also celebrated its 100th anniversary. 반달 is known as Korea’s first children’s song and holds a special place in my culture and memory. The rosette also features piano key motifs, referencing Rhapsody in Blue, one of my favourite pieces of music and a landmark 1924 composition that bridges jazz and classical traditions. Through these details, the Petite 1924 becomes more than a guitar; it becomes a quiet tribute to sound, heritage, and imagination.'