2016 Dominique Field CD/CSAR

Dominique Field is France's top builder of his generation. His work is now universally regarded to be as important, innovative and timeless as his predecessors and colleagues, Robert Bouchet and Daniel Friederich. Dominique has recently implemented a revised bracing system on the back and sides which distributes the tension to the sides (the sides also having 30 small vertical bars per side), and subsequently to the soundboard, resulting in increased clarity, punch and dynamic expression. The sound is very rarified and at the same time, extremely powerful. The tonal color palette is huge on this guitar and the dynamic range second to none. Aesthetically it is extremely refined in an understated way - from the shape of the plantilla, to the head carving to the intricate and elegant rosette.

This is a cedar-topped instrument, and follows his first cedar top in over 10 years built in 2015. It is our first cedar from Field in 12 years and we are pleased to say that it has all of the charm, power, beauty and depth of his spruce guitars but also captures the unique expressive and tonal characteristics that can only be found in cedar - thicker overtones and a darker, warmer quality of sound overall. As usual this instrument is meticulously built with a level of detail found in only an elite handful of other makers. His French polish has an almost mirror-like quality to it, it's simply remarkable just how clean the fit and finish of his instruments are. Field guitars are currently being played by some of the world's leading concert artists including Eduardo Isaac, Vladimir Mikulka, Julian Byzantine, Adam Holzman and the great flamenco artist, Vicente Amigo among others. Field's wait-list is currently 17 years, making these virtually impossible to acquire. Despite this enormous demand, GSI is proud to be his exclusive world-wide dealer, receiving one instrument per year from him.

Orfeo Magazine #7 - French School Luthiery