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David Argent - Australia
Powerful, focused and refined Lattice braced guitars from Australia
For years I have limited my offerings of Australian builders to the two individuals that I consider to be the best builders in Australia, Greg Smallman and Jim Redgate. Then David sent me one of his guitars. Suffice it to say, after I reviewed it I agreed to now offer three luthiers from down under. My clients have repeatedly confirmed my impressions about David’s guitars...
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Paulino Bernabe - Spain
The quintessential Spanish Guitar
Father and son, arguably two of the finest builders in Spain today, have been admired for decades by players seeking flawless instruments that possess the almost mystical quality that the finest Spanish guitars are known for. Their fame is based deservedly on their immense skill as builders and this is complimented by the fact that they possess one of the largest and finest stores of Brazilian Rosewood and well aged Spruce and Cedar in Spain. In 2007 they were kind enough to designate me as their exclusive US dealer, and so I can now provide even better access to these superb instruments for my clients...
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Gregory Byers - USA
"I have played many concerts with a Byers guitar."
-David Russell
David Russell and David Tanenbaum have both played/recorded using a Byers guitar. Because of this his fan braced, elevated fingerboard, instruments have achieved a well deserved notoriety. Greg is now also building fine lattice braced guitars that retain the traditional warmth and beauty of his fan braced guitars, with the power and focus available through this contemporary design.....
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Matthias Dammann - Germany
The ‘holy grail’ of contemporary double top guitars
One of the most sought after guitars in the world and played by a number of world renowned concert artists, Dammann burst on the scene with his double top design in the 80’s and his guitars quickly became the ‘must have’ guitar for some of the finest players on the planet...
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Dominique Delarue - France
Considered to be the ‘next Daniel Freiderich’ by many
Dominique builds in the South of France and, like Matthias Dammann and other builders, admits that he is strongly inspired by Daniel Friederich. Other well known French builders, and many dealers and players, consider Delarue to be the most likely heir to the Freiderich legacy...
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Thomas Humphrey - USA
The Millennium guitar “is the only philosophically different classical guitar since Torres” - Aaron Shearer
Humphrey’s radical design came to him in a dream in the late 80’s. Since then, Millenium guitars have developed a rabid following among some of the worlds best players, and are now possibly played by more recognized concert and recording artists than the guitars of any other single builder. Tom always has a lengthy waiting list and I am pleased that he has agreed to provide a limited number of custom Millennium guitars to Classic Guitars International...
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Andrés Marvi - Spain
Modern Spanish masterpieces with captivating qualities, recommended by Robert Ruck...
When Robert Ruck says 'take a look at this guys work', I listen! That is how I was introduced to Andres Marvi. Andres, who is German but builds in Spain, and his guitars have attracted much interest from both Classical (Goran Krivokapic/Anthony Graham Devine) as well as flamenco players (Gerardo Nunez). He blends the influences of several building styles into a thoroughly modern version of the Spanish Guitar, with excellent results...
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Claudio Meneghelli - Switzerland
Stunning Romanillos inspired guitars, recommended by Jose and Liam
Romanillos!
The first luthier ever to be specially recognized by Jose and Liam Romanillos, Claudio has received significant acknowledgement for his Romanillos inspired instruments. Museum quality craftsmanship combined with a gorgeous tonal palate and doubled sides producing excellent volume, the result is instruments that are simply sublime...
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Dieter Mueller – Germany
Superb Dammann inspired German double tops...
I have worked with Dieter for more many years now. His solid top guitars are wonderful, but in recent years it is his double top guitars that have caught the attention of my clients, and with good reason. His guitars are very Dammann-like in look/sound and feel, and no wonder, he credits Matthiass Dammann as a major influence along with Robert Ruck and others, and Matthias has generously shared ideas and theories with Dieter. Dieter has also studied physics and is a fine player, and this results in double tops of the highest caliber...
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Fritz Mueller – Canada
Specializing exclusively in superior double top guitars
Everybody it seems is intrigued by double top guitars, yet very few Luthiers have successfully unlocked the secrets to building a double top that has tremendous volume but that also retains a deep, rich, meaningful tone at the same time. Fritz Mueller is one of a handful who has spent the years of experimentation necessary to discover those secrets and then apply them successfully to his instruments. Today his double top guitars have a well deserved reputation as superior concert instruments... |
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Michael O’Leary – Ireland
Lattice bracing meets fan bracing with wonderful results
In the past, if you asked a player to list countries that were known for fine contemporary concert classical guitars, well, they would probably not have listed “Ireland”. That is about to change. For the past two years clients from all over have been whispering the name “Michael O’Leary” in my ear, now I know why...
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Jim Redgate - Australia
If you could 'mate' a Smallman, Fleta and Dammann, the result would be a Redgate...
My hands down number one selling guitar for years now. Incredible volume, stunning tone, and playability that is so comfortable one has to check just to be certain they are actually playing a Classical Guitar. Ana Vidovic borrowed one to play for a concert and was so impressed that she literally walked off the stage and called me to order one of her own. Jim has kindly selected Classic Guitars International as the sole source of Jim Redgate guitars worldwide...
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Liam Romanillos - England
The fine tradition of Jose Romanillos is carried on through the ongoing collaboration of father and son
Romanillos guitars by both father and son are among the most desired of instruments. Known for their haunting and romantic sound, owning a Romanillos has been the dream of many fine players. For this reason, Liam’s waiting list stretches out for more than seven years. Liam has honored me by consenting to offer a highly limited number of special instruments through Classic Guitars International...
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Robert Ruck - USA
The ‘Luthiers’ Luthier
Robert’s reputation for fine guitars and building perfection is such that I have noticed a very interesting phenomenon over the years. When several of the (now) famous builders wanted to see the ultimate in the refinement and building of Classical guitars, they invariably made the pilgrimage to visit Robert Ruck. Ruck guitars are played be innumerable recording artists and professionals. Robert recently made the decision to close his waiting list and is no longer accepting new orders, so I am truly honored that he has agreed to provide a limited number of his fine instruments through Classic Guitars International.
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Philip Woodfield - England
Traditional appearance and tone with lattice braced volume
Philips guitars are played by a number of concert artists in Europe at this time. His instruments possess and elegant traditional appearance that belies the fact that they are actually powerful contemporary lattice braced guitars...
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