1993 Christopher Dean SP/IN

This 1993 Christopher Dean is a spruce and Indian rosewood classical guitar made in Oxfordshire, England (label No. 179) – a one-owner guitar from an English maker who began his career as assistant to Paul Fischer.

A Christopher Dean Classical Guitar in the Spirit of Hauser I

Christopher Dean is a highly regarded English maker who builds beautiful traditionally-inspired instruments. This guitar has the sound and feel of the earlier, more "Spanish" period of Hauser I, with a dense richness of tone contained in every note. It is very clear and balanced but has a nice relaxed warmth at the same time.

Craftsmanship and the Paul Fischer Influence

As usual for his guitars, great attention has been paid to craftsmanship, and the choice of materials is beautiful – indeed it still shows influences (particularly in the rosette design) of his time spent with Paul Fischer in the 1980s. This is a great instrument for someone looking for a like-new/modern guitar that at the same time has a sweet, old-world charm.

Condition and Players of Dean Guitars

Although used, condition is excellent with minor signs of use – in fact it has until now had only one owner, who took meticulous care of the guitar. Top concert players of Dean guitars have included Tillman Hopstock, Eleftheria Kotzia, Simon Dinnigan, all members of the Vida Quartet, the Eden Stell duo, and many others.

Christopher Dean: Classical Guitar Maker in Oxfordshire, England

Christopher Dean has built classical guitars in his own workshop in Oxfordshire, England, since October 1985. He trained for three years in Musical Instrument Technology at the London College of Furniture, and then spent two years as assistant to the English master Paul Fischer – an influence still visible in his rosettes.

Santos Hernández, Hauser and the Spanish Tradition

Chris's restoration work has brought guitars by Santos Hernández and Hermann Hauser I to his bench. A 1929 Santos Hernández that came to him for a major restoration led him to build a small series of near-exact replicas of it, and his own guitars are rooted in the same Spanish tradition: traditionally-inspired designs, fine materials and meticulous craftsmanship. He was one of the makers featured in the England Special issue of Orfeo Magazine (No. 11).