2018 Michel Bélair "Hommage à Daniel Friederich" CD/IN

This 2018 Michel Bélair "Hommage à Daniel Friederich" is a classical guitar with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Montreal, Canada, after Daniel Friederich's 1999 guitar No. 763 – pre-owned, in excellent condition.

Michel's Homage to Friederich

Daniel Friederich set new standards for the concert classical guitar over six decades; Michel – who owns Friederich No. 763 of 1999 and a copy of Friederich's notes on building it – reproduces that guitar in his "Hommage" model. At the time this guitar was built, Michel had also owned a spruce-top Friederich, and GSI planned to commission spruce "Hommage" guitars based on it too.

Construction

A master-grade Western red cedar top, aged 15 years and matched to the original in density and grain spacing; Indian rosewood sides with internal mahogany lamination; a Honduran mahogany neck; a carved headstock, rosette and purflings after Friederich; and Rodgers tuning machines.

Sound and Condition

Powerful and responsive, with rich basses, thick trebles and a velvety, silky tone, and a long sustain with a linear, predictable decay. Although a used instrument, it is in excellent condition, with only very minor wear in the finish.

Photos of this guitar taken during construction

Michel Bélair: A Concert Guitarist Turned Luthier

Michel Bélair is a Canadian luthier based in Montreal. He developed his passion for the guitar in his early teens, which eventually led him to study guitar at McGill University, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in guitar performance under the tutelage of Alvaro Pierri. He then studied with Roberto Aussel in Paris. Michel has excellent skills as a player – his playing has been recognized with prizes and awards at various international classical guitar competitions – and he fully understands the perspective of the instrumentalist, which has had a big influence on his work as a guitar maker.

Two Original Friederich Guitars

As a performer, Michel played two original guitars by Daniel Friederich (no. 557 and no. 763), and both of his teachers, Alvaro Pierri and Roberto Aussel, also played Friederich guitars for most of their careers. This long-term exposure to – and appreciation of – Friederich's instruments inspired Michel to develop his "Hommage à Daniel Friederich" model. He also builds his own traditional and double-top models.

GSI and the "Hommage" Model

Michel pays particular attention to the decay and overall sustain of the sound. GSI is proud to be the exclusive dealer in the USA for Michel's "Hommage à Daniel Friederich" model.