2000 Michael Thames No. 414 CD/IN

This 2000 Michael Thames No. 414 is a cedar and Indian rosewood classical guitar from Taos, New Mexico, with doubled sides in the manner of Daniel Friederich.

A Nod to Friederich

The guitar recalls Friederich in several ways: outwardly the head shape is close to his “Recital” models of the 1960s, and inside it has doubled sides – mahogany on the inside, Indian rosewood outside – a practice Friederich adopted for his “Concert” models in the early 1970s. The label reads “2000, Taos, New Mexico – USA” and is numbered 414.

Sound

The sound is very rich and plump, yet with great balance and clarity between voices. The doubled sides improve sustain, particularly in the trebles, and give extra projection for the recitalist in the concert hall.

Michael Thames: Half a Century of Guitars in New Mexico

American luthier Michael Thames built guitars in New Mexico for more than half a century – first under the label “The Land of Enchantment”, then in Taos and, from the mid-2000s, in Santa Fe – and by 2018 he had made over 1000 instruments. His numbered labels carry his family crest and signature. He has recently retired and now lives in Thailand.

Historical Replicas and Experimental Designs

Thames built a great variety of instruments: traditional concert guitars and flamenco guitars, historical models after René Lacote and Antonio de Torres, and experimental designs of his own, such as guitars with a brass or carbon-fiber tornavoz. For him the most important quality in a great guitar was the attack and ease of response, and his guitars are known for a big, robust and lush sound.