2024 Jean-Noël Rohé SP/CSAR

This is an incredibly refined instrument in all ways. The craftsmanship is second to none, not only is it extremely tasteful but it is perfectly executed to the minutest of details. Sound is uniquely Rohé's but there are some influences that can be detected, such as the "cathedral-like" dimensionality emanating from the box, which we believe is strongly influenced by the Friederich-like use of double-sides. Normally Jean-Noël uses cypress for the internal side wood, however for this guitar, he used pre-cut mahogany lining from Friederich's old stock. Actually, for this guitar almost all the woods used were obtained from Friederich (everything except the cedar neck and some of the material on the inside of the box). Notably, the aged spruce used for the soundboard was sourced in the 1970s when Friederich traveled to Jura (Risoux forest). The bracing pattern is Jean-Noël's asymmetrical 8 fan system - with two off-center short braces instead of a central fan running under the center seam flanked by 3 full length fans on the treble side and 3 shorter ones on the bass side. To us this seems like a variation on the treble-stiffener approach combined with the Garcia/Simplicio asymmetrical 8-fan system that seeks to normalize or balance out the lower voices with the upper. The resulting sound is that of perfect balance and a relaxed, warm quality of sound without losing firmness to the core of each note for definition. This unique sound has great style, all who hear and play are won over by its charm.

Rohé likes to compare the making of a guitar to wine-making, in that the vintner's personality is present in the final product in much the same way as the luthier's does. Grape varieties and scents blend in the similar fashion as do wooden framework and sound structure. One can appreciate the tonal qualities of the note as one can appreciate the complex taste of a particular wine. For the connoisseur of fine guitars, this maker's work does for the ears what the finest wines do the palates of the most discriminating wine aficionados.

Several fine players of Rohe guitars include Pablo Marquez, Vojin Kocic, David Jaggs, Adam Woch, Philippe Mouratoglou and Baptiste Ramond among others.

Photos of this guitar taken during construction

Orfeo Magazine #7 - French School Luthiery