2019 Michel Bélair "Hommage à Daniel Friederich" CD/IN

This 2019 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.

An Homage to Daniel Friederich

Michel's "Hommage" model honors Daniel Friederich – the master whose work over sixty years set the standard for the modern concert classical guitar.

Built After Friederich No. 763

Michel modeled this guitar on the 1999 Friederich No. 763 that he owns, a fine example of Friederich's late style, working from a copy of Friederich's personal building notes for that very guitar.

Its 15-year-old Western red cedar top matches the density and grain spacing of No. 763 – and even its color – for the closest possible stiffness and frequency. Following Friederich, the Indian rosewood sides carry an internal mahogany lamination, with a Honduran mahogany neck. From the carved headstock to the rosette and purflings, the aesthetics are pure Friederich – down to the Rodgers tuning machines.

Sound

Rich basses, thick trebles and a silky, velvety tone, delivered with power and quick response. The long sustain and smooth, linear decay – a particular focus of Michel's – make it consistent and balanced from pianissimo to fortissimo.

Condition

Although a used guitar, it is in excellent condition, with only some cosmetic wear in the finish.

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.