1967 Daniel Friederich No. 187 SP/CSAR

This 1967 Daniel Friederich No. 187 is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Paris, built in the same year as his prize-winning Liège guitar – a numbered "Concert" guitar, restored by Yuris Zeltins and ready for the stage.

In the videos above, Adam Holzman plays Bach's "Gavotte en Rondeau" (BWV 1006a) and the first movement of Turina's Sonata, and Scott Morris plays Satie's "Je Te Veux" on this guitar.

No. 187: a Concert Guitar from the Liège Year

This is a spectacular instrument built by one of the most important builders of the 20th century. It was built the same year (1967) as the instrument that would land him top prizes at the legendary Liège (Belgium) competition, setting him on the world stage. Its label – "Année 1967, No. 187", rue Sergent Bauchat, Paris 12e – carries the serial number Friederich reserved for his Concert models.

Sound and Condition

This instrument is a concert player's workhorse and an investor's dream. Tone is rich and silky, smooth and full, typical of Friederich's best work. Although dating from 1967, it is in excellent condition – there is a cracked area below the bridge, near the center seam, that was repaired many years ago by Yuris Zeltins (with only 2 small cloth patches), but otherwise the guitar is in concert-ready condition.

Daniel Friederich: Paris Master of the French School

Daniel Friederich (1932–2020) was one of the most respected and influential classical guitar makers of the twentieth century. Born in Paris, he built his first guitar in 1955 – a simple copy of a Francisco Simplicio – became a full-time maker in his Paris workshop in 1960 after showing his work to Robert Bouchet, and in 1967 won top prizes at the legendary Liège competition: a gold medal for craftsmanship and a silver for sound, awarded anonymously by a jury that included Bouchet and Ignacio Fleta.

The elegant body shape and the distinctive headstock with its raised central design make his guitars easy to recognize, and they are known for their unsurpassed aesthetic as well as their beautiful and magisterial quality of tone. Many of the best players in the world have played them, including the Romeros, Manuel Barrueco, Julian Bream, Scott Tennant, Roberto Aussel, Eduardo Fernández, Álvaro Pierri and David Tanenbaum.

Concert, Recital and Arpège Models

In the 1960s Friederich built two main lines: the "Concert" model – his most advanced guitar, with a carved head, specially designed machine heads, the finest woods and a serial number on the label – and the less expensive "Recital" and "Arpège" models, which carried no serial number. From 1970 on he made only "Concert" guitars, each label giving the number and year. In his own words, his earlier guitars were "relatively simple, pleasant to play" with a "quite explosive" sound; from about 1973 he increased their weight, for more sustain and a richer, sweeter voice.

Daniel Friederich and GSI

GSI was proud to be Friederich's exclusive worldwide dealer for his new guitars until he retired in 2014, and for over 20 years we received one guitar a year from him. He passed away in Paris on November 4, 2020, at the age of 88 – read our tribute. You can also read Andrea Tacchi's interview with Daniel Friederich.

Books on Daniel Friederich

The bilingual book "Luthier d'Art" is the most complete record of his life and work; Orfeo Magazine No. 2 is devoted to him (see our post or read the issue online), and a 2008 Friederich is among the guitars shown in Orfeo's "34 Classical Guitars in Life Size":

Daniel Friederich 1932-2020: Luthier d'Art

Orfeo Magazine 1-5

Orfeo – 34 Classical Guitars in Life Size