1969 Daniel Friederich No. 244 SP/CSAR

This 1969 Daniel Friederich No. 244 is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Paris, its label signed by the maker – original and outstanding for its age, a dream for player and collector alike.

No. 244: a Signed Label from 1969

This is an elegant example of Friederich's best work during the peak of his spruce period of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The label – "Année 1969, No. 244" – is signed "D. Friederich" and simply marked "Paris". It features the classic (and in our opinion, one of the most beautiful) plantillas ever designed as well as the carved head and ornate yet tasteful rosette.

Sound and Playability

Tone is gorgeous – rich and silky, smooth and full, marrying together the best qualities of the mid-century spruce guitar with Friederich's unique sound. Separation between notes is clear and incredibly balanced across the entire range. Playability is superb: the neck is sleek and easy (by comparison with instruments built in later periods), the right hand finds incredible responsiveness, and it has enough volume to fill any sized hall – and would be a dream to record with.

Condition

Apart from one nearly invisible, hairline crack on the lower bout of the soundboard (recently repaired by Yuris Zeltins, only with a small amount of glue – no cleats or patches), the guitar is in original and outstanding condition for its age. By all measures this is a highly desirable instrument for player and collector alike.

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