Daniel Friederich - 2001 - No.776

About the luthier

Daniel Friederich was born on January 16, 1932, in Paris, and passed away in 2020. He grew up in a family of cabinetmakers in the Faubourg Saint‑Antoine district. Despite a strong wish to play guitar, he could not afford one, so at age 23 he built his first guitar, a copy of a Simplicio, with help from his teacher Christian Aubin. He later showed one of his early instruments to Robert Bouchet, whose craftsmanship deeply influenced him. From around 1960 onwards Friederich devoted himself full‑time to guitar making, refining his technique via both empirical study and acoustic measurement. Over his decades of work he earned a reputation for instruments of superb tonal balance, clarity, and projection.

About the guitar

This exceptional instrument, Daniel Friederich No. 776 (2001), is a superb example of the luthier’s iconic Concert model. Specially built for the accomplished French guitarist Gaëlle Solal, it has had only one owner since new. The instrument features a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, with French polish and Rodgers tuning machines. Its voice embodies Friederich’s trademark qualities: a round and mellow tone with exceptional sustain, a natural richness in overtones, and balance across all registers. These are coupled with remarkable projection and dynamic range, offering volume levels rarely found in traditionally built instruments. The guitar responds quickly and evenly under the fingers, inviting a wide range of expressive nuance. It is a guitar that supports the player rather than resists, offering clarity, warmth, and presence in equal measure. The build is refined and elegant, entirely in line with the high standard set by Friederich’s most sought‑after instruments.

Condition

This guitar is in excellent condition and has been well maintained by its original owner. It exhibits normal playing marks from professional use. Three extremely fine hairline cracks beneath the bridge have been professionally glued without the need for reinforcements. These are nearly invisible and entirely stable. The instrument comes with a custom-made, high‑quality Accord case.