Dominique Field (born 1954) is a French classical guitar maker and the leading builder of the French school today, following in the line of Robert Bouchet and Daniel Friederich. His guitars are prized by concert artists and collectors worldwide, and customers wait years for them.
At a Glance
- Born: 1954, France
- Tradition: the French school of Robert Bouchet and Daniel Friederich
- Influences: Bouchet and Hauser for aesthetics; early exposure to Fleta, Hauser I and Hernández y Aguado
- Known for: enormous dynamic range, clarity and power; his own back-and-side bracing system; a wait-list of many years
- Played by: Sergio Assad, Vladimir Mikulka, Eduardo Isaac, Scott Tennant, Adam Holzman, Vicente Amigo, Judicaël Perroy and many more
A Great French Luthier
Dominique Field is internationally recognized as one of the great French luthiers to emerge in recent years. His instruments are so universally popular and unique that customers wait years for them. Leading international concert artists who have played his guitars include Eduardo Isaac (Argentina), Iván Rijos, Eladio Scharrón and Earl Klugh (USA), Akiko Saito and Masahiro Ojiri (Japan), Vladimir Mikulka (Czech Republic), Johan Fostier (Belgium), Catherine Liolios (France) and Carsten Pedersen (Denmark). Scott Tennant and Adam Holzman have signed up to Field’s wait-list in the past. The important collector Sheldon Urlik more recently acquired a Field guitar as well.
From Guitar Student to Luthier
As a performance student of the classical guitar in the 1970s, Field found himself less focused on the repertoire and more drawn to the aesthetic beauty and physical structure of the guitar. His guitar teacher introduced him to superbly crafted guitars, including Fleta and Bouchet.
At this same time, Field also had the opportunity to play other great makers, including Hauser I and Hernández y Aguado. The exposure to such fine instruments not only inspired the artistic design of his own guitars but also taught him how to recognize and create remarkable sound. Although Field draws largely on Hauser and Bouchet for aesthetics, it can be stated that his tone is uniquely his.
The Dominique Field Sound
Field’s guitars have enormous dynamic range and tremendous power. The tone is very clear (counterpoint is an important concept for Field) and yet very sweet and lyrical. The quality of sound, ease of playability and physical beauty have made Field’s guitars extremely desirable to performers and collectors everywhere. As a consequence, they have become very difficult to obtain due to his lengthy wait-list.
The French School of Guitar Making
Dominique Field is now the leading builder in the French school of guitar making (and arguably one of the top in the world) that has its origins in Paris in the 19th century with Pons and Pons Aîné, who were the teachers/mentors of René-François Lacote – France’s first superstar in guitar making. Spaniard Julián Gómez Ramírez settled in Paris and became active c. 1910, deeply influencing Robert Bouchet, who initially played on a Gómez Ramírez guitar before becoming a luthier himself. Robert Bouchet of course would have a profound influence on Daniel Friederich and Dominique Field, setting the standard for the modern French guitar in the 20th century and beyond.
Played by Leading Guitarists
Field’s guitars have been played by numerous top guitarists including (to name but just a few!) Sergio Assad, Vladimir Mikulka, Iván Rijos, Eduardo Isaac, Adam Holzman, Scott Tennant, Vicente Amigo, Adam Levin, Raphaël Feuillâtre, Judicaël Perroy, Hubert Käppel, Roman Viazovskiy and both members of the Montenegrin Guitar Duo (Goran Krivokapić and Danijel Cerović). Odair Assad and René Izquierdo are also awaiting new Field guitars.
Dominique Field in Orfeo Magazine
Orfeo Magazine #7 – French School Luthiery
Orfeo’s issue on the French school asks “Is there a unified French School of luthiery?”, focusing on Dominique Field, Jean-Noël Rohé, Olivier Fanton d’Andon and Thomas Norwood.
Dominique Field Guitars at GSI
GSI is extremely proud to be his only dealer in the USA. Many Dominique Field guitars have passed through our doors over the years. You’ll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the “Guitars In Stock” button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the “Guitars In Museum” button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dominique Field?
A French classical guitar maker, born in 1954, widely regarded as the leading builder of the French school today, in the line of Robert Bouchet and Daniel Friederich.
Why are Dominique Field guitars so hard to get?
Demand from concert artists and collectors is so high that his wait-list runs for many years.
What does a Field guitar sound like?
Very clear and powerful, with enormous dynamic range, yet sweet and lyrical – clarity of counterpoint is an important concept for him.
Which guitarists play Dominique Field guitars?
Among many others Sergio Assad, Vladimir Mikulka, Eduardo Isaac, Scott Tennant, Adam Holzman, Vicente Amigo, Judicaël Perroy and the Montenegrin Guitar Duo.
