If you are interested in a pristine Dammann that will be arriving soon please contact me to discuss....

The owner of this guitar is a wonderful client of mine who bought several fine guitars from me after retiring with the expectations of playing a lot each day. As it turned out however, this did not materialize as he originally envisioned and in a recent discussion with him he decided that these guitars should be out in the world being played. This is one of those guitars. The guitar is virtually unplayed and in impeccable as new condition as if it just arrived from Matthias' shop. When I first received the guitar from Matthias here is what I wrote, still true:

I feel so honored to have the opportunity to hear and play the "standard setting" guitars of master luthier Matthias Dammann. I so enjoy our conversations, he has the most creative mind and his restless quest for constant improvement is truly inspiring to me. He of course invented the double top concept in the 1980's and in time,years later others followed his lead with Dammann inspired instruments and many many luthiers have agreed with him that this is likely to be the direction that the Classical Guitar follows in our time. Little wonder for to play a Dammann for the first time is a paradigm altering experience. The typical comment is 'I did not know guitars could be as good as this'. Dammann guitars are constructed so that the entire instrument is actively involved in the production of sound, no detail goes unnoticed by Matthias, literally no stone unturned. He is constantly theorizing about the tiniest details that might add just a bit 'more' to his already stunning instruments, and so not surprisingly they are always improving, even long after most of us thought 'how could he possibly make them any better than they already are'. Somehow, he does. I recently visited Matthias and stayed at his home in Pasau, Germany. Not only did I find him to be a brilliant luthier, but he can also play very well! Sitting in his living room, playing stunning Dammann guitars near the warmth of his cast iron stove on a chilly evening with friends, really great memories.

This guitar raises the bar in so many ways, truly the best Dammann yet. Visually it is just flawless. If Romanillos is perhaps the most beautiful Spruce guitar, well then this is arguably the most beautiful Cedar guitar. The Dammann rosette, almost as iconic now as the Romanillos rosette, is exquisite. The Cedar top(s) are of the highest quality and the lovely rich honey colored tint in the Shellac is gorgeous. The French Polish is superb as well, really at the highest level. The Graf tuners are flawless, so smooth and so accurate, and very light, perfect on a guitar of this caliber. The guitar is feather light, almost feels like a light flamenco guitar, and when you play it the entire instrument shimmers and vibrates against your body while it seems to emanate sound in all directions at once. You almost feel like you yourself are part of the guitar as you play her. The elevated fret board and general action make playing sublime. The twelve hole tie block securely locks the strings in place. Every detail attended to, every nuance addressed.

Volume is absolutely impressive, projection is superb, so of course the dynamic range is huge. Playing in your living room, or playing in a concert hall, the instrument fulfills your every need and desire. Tonally this new Dammann is sublimely rich, at once dark and full and at the same time just a 'hint' of spruce character for clarity and separation, it is amazing how he combines the attributes of those two tone woods in one instrument. The words "Cello-like" regarding the basses, and 'Bell-like" regarding trebles, were seemingly phrases invented to describe a Dammann. Responsive beyond words, to the lightest touch of the player, she can whisper or she can sing out loud, whatever you ask.

The finest of the fine, the 'standard' by which all other double top guitars are measured, and rightly so.