2026 Wolfgang Jellinghaus "Signature CD/CD" CD/ZR

This 2026 Wolfgang Jellinghaus "Signature CD/CD" is a cedar double-top classical guitar with ziricote back and sides and a new rosette, built in the Jellinghaus workshop in China and available in the USA exclusively at GSI.

The Jellinghaus "Signature" Model

This is Wolfgang Jellinghaus' "Signature" model, which has a variety of modern features, even though some of these are rooted in the deep traditions of the past. For example, take the floating fingerboard: the fingerboard is not attached to the soundboard at all, freeing this often under-utilized part of the top to vibrate freely and contribute to the overall sound. This idea was inspired by similar systems on the old Viennese-style instruments, most notably those of Stauffer.

Bracing That Opens Up the Upper Bout

Internally, the bracing system is designed to help move sound into this area of the upper bout. The lower harmonic bar is open on either side of the rosette, and there is no upper harmonic bar at all, so the sound moves easily and efficiently from the bridge area all the way into the uppermost reaches of the top, using most of the soundboard to produce sound. The two outermost fans continue on into the upper bout, where they are joined by an additional strut on either side. The sides are rigidly reinforced with a layer of cypress to keep most of the vibration focused on the top, and not lost to the sides. Volume is therefore huge on this instrument, also in part due to the lightweight lattice-braced double-top system for the soundboard (Nomex in between two pieces of cedar).

Playability and Details

The guitar is also incredibly easy to play – partly due to the immediate responsiveness, requiring little effort from the right hand, but also due to the sleek, easy neck shape for the left hand. Additional features include an armrest for the right arm and a 20th fret. It also features a new rosette and striking ziricote for the back and sides. Overall a very impressive concert guitar, particularly at this price point.

A Guitar Maker's Son from Dortmund

Wolfgang Jellinghaus (1951–2024) was born in Dortmund, Germany. His father, Walter Jellinghaus, was himself a guitar maker and naturally introduced the craft to Wolfgang at a young age. In 1978, Wolfgang began managing his family's retail music shop, Musik Jellinghaus GmbH, and in 1983 he created Martinez Guitars, designing their first line of guitars.

Replicas of Torres, Lacote, Hauser and Ramírez

In 2013, he set up an independent workshop in China, building guitars under the name "Milestones of Music": a small, traditional boutique workshop that specialized in making high-quality guitars in the style of such great historical makers as Lacote, Antonio de Torres, Hauser and Ramírez, among others. He later developed a new line of instruments under his own name, and with Edmund Blöchinger he refined many of his replicas and established the La Cañada line.

Exclusive to GSI in the USA

GSI is proud to be the exclusive U.S. dealer for Wolfgang Jellinghaus guitars, one of the most popular lines we've ever carried. Since Wolfgang's passing in 2024, the successors of his business have carried on the work he established (read our tribute).