1971 Daniel Friederich No. 299 SP/IN

This 1971 Daniel Friederich No. 299 is a spruce and Indian rosewood classical guitar from Paris with a shorter 640 mm scale – one of the two Friederichs on Scott Morris's Satie CD "Phonology", and a guitar Marc Teicholz played in concert at GSI.

In the videos above, Scott Morris plays this guitar with Andrew York (on a 1956 Robert Bouchet) in Satie's "Sonatine Bureaucratique", and Marc Teicholz plays Chopin's Prelude No. 4 and Grande Valse Brillante on it in concert at GSI – he recorded the same waltz for Valseana on our 1970 Friederich.

No. 299, at the Peak of the Spruce-Top Period

Daniel Friederich has become one of the most collectible makers of classical guitars, and is widely regarded as one of the most significant builders of the second half of the 20th century and early 21st. This particular guitar, built in 1971 and numbered 299 on its label, represents Friederich at the peak of his great spruce-top period.

Sound and Playability

The tone is like soft, fine silk, with controlled and balanced layers of overtones stacked on the crystal-clear fundamental. It has an almost cathedral-like presence, which gives it plenty of power for any concert hall – the quantity of sound is huge with great projection, reminiscent of the style found in the great Fletas of the 50s and 60s. It plays incredibly easily thanks to the comfortable neck shape and shorter scale – this one at 640 mm. For both sound and collectability, this is an extremely desirable example by this legendary maker.

Heard on "Phonology": Satie on French Guitars

Scott Morris chose this Friederich for Phonology: the Music of Erik Satie for Guitar, his book and CD of Satie arrangements recorded on six French guitars from GSI – two Friederichs (this 1971 and a 2002), the 1956 Bouchet, a 2011 Dominique Field, a 2012 Jean-Noël Rohé and a 2012 Bertrand Ligier. In the duets, Andrew York plays the Bouchet and Scott Morris this guitar.

Phonology: the Music of Erik Satie for Guitar (book + CD)

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