2021 Vladimir Druzhinin SP/AR

This is a fantastic guitar from Vladimir Druzhinin, who currently lives and works just outside of Moscow, Russia. Just a look at this instrument reveals a very tasteful and skillfully executed style that is highlighted in his classic rosette, elegantly carved headstock and beautiful selection of materials – including a quarter sawn spruce top and a striking set of African rosewood used for back and sides. Years ago, Vladimir started to explore what he calls the "symmetric classical construction" starting with the work of Hermann Hauser I's structural designs from the 1930s. Like Hauser from this period, Vladimir has taken a similar approach to his work, by assimilating the work of the early Madrid school (Manuel Ramirez, Santos Hernandez, Domingo Esteso, etc). With this guitar, Vladimir continues to refine his structural design, and has slightly re-arranged his fan bracing positions and bevels compared to his previous instruments. He also used a solid beech lining for both the top and back, (with 1mm added strip on the top side) and tangential-cut neck. With his last few guitars Vladimir’s aim has been to achieve lower general tuning. He has told us that lighter construction, thanks to its flexibility gives him better results in a variable and responsive sound production, with great timbral and dynamics control. He has also been developing his process of distribution of longitudinal elasticity in the guitar body. He’s been also matching the stiffness of the body and neck. Even minor differences have made a big impact on the overall response and controllability of the sound. Vladimir is constantly refining his design, partially with a scientific approach – in addition to his music degree, he also has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in physics what allows him to better understand the nature of the sound production. His main aim with this approach is to make the top, back and sides vibrate in coordinated resonances, equaling and balancing their contribution in sound production to produce great dynamic efficiency, color and balance that results in a solid, focused and brilliant sound. Also in the spirit of these early Spanish masters, the guitar is lightly and efficiently built, with very focused and fast attack to every note. Quality of sound is beautiful - singing and lyrical trebles with smooth, lush yet firm basses. Volume is excellent for any concert setting - either solo or with an ensemble. We are very pleased to be working with this fine maker as his exclusive representatives in the US and look forward to many more of these great guitars in the years to come.