2024 Marc Dickinson "Cosmic" CD/IN

This 2024 Marc Dickinson "Cosmic" is a classical guitar with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Ardmore, Oklahoma, with meteorite-filled fret markers and a Messier 13 rosette.

Astrophotography in Wood

Marc's love of astrophysics and astrophotography shapes his designs: the rosette comes from one of his own images of the globular cluster Messier 13

and the purflings of the top, head veneer and rosette use diminishing pointed lines running against each other – his "diffraction lines", after the starbursts in James Webb telescope images.

Brenham Meteorite Fret Dots

For this guitar, Marc made his fret dots (5, 7, 9) from small brass rings filled with meteorite dust from the Brenham meteorite. All these "cosmic" details are carried out with great taste, giving the guitar a very personal look.

Construction and Sound

Underneath, the guitar is solidly traditional, with a 7-fan Hauser/Torres-style bracing system. Laminated sides and linings add stiffness and mass for more sustain and volume, especially on the top strings. Each note is thick with overtones – almost "smoky" – yet clearly defined by a crisp attack: clear and warm at once, powerful enough for the concert hall and lovely enough that you won't want to put it down.

Photos and additional information of this guitar taken during construction

Marc Dickinson: Physicist and Guitar Maker

Marc Dickinson is a classical guitar maker from Ardmore, Oklahoma. He has multiple advanced degrees in science, including an M.Sc. from the Colorado School of Mines and a Ph.D. in physics from Texas Christian University. His strong scientific background – and particularly his interest in astrophysics and astrophotography – has a great influence on his designs: "cosmic" touches appear in his headstocks, purflings, labels and rosettes.

From Part-Time Builder to Full-Time Workshop

Marc has been building guitars for about 20 years, mainly part-time at first. We first met him about 10 years ago, when he was able to show us his 16th guitar. In 2019 he finally settled into a full-time workshop, where he has since been able to devote himself wholly to building classical guitars. In 2023 we reconnected and were immediately impressed with the fit, finish, style and sound of his latest model – and so began placing orders with him. In fact, we happily became Marc's exclusive dealer for all his instruments!