This No. 476 belonged to most valuable Daniel Friederich period. The guitar is in perfect condition, no repair.
This classical guitar is astonishing by its loudness and the balance of its voices. We have tested this classical guitar with nylon strings and carbon strings – here we have used carbon strings for the recording – and have been amazed by the quality of its sound.
The Daniel Friederich classical guitars from the 80’s are among the best Friederich produced. Daniel classical guitars are now a standard like Steinway for the Piano. Balance, projection and sweetness of the trebles. These classical guitars remain unique and some of the most highly sought after classical guitars. The n° 586 is maybe one the best Friederich guitars that we have had the chance to play.
In Daniel Friederich own words:
“I was born on January 16, 1932 in Paris. I built my first classical guitar in 1955 because I was learning to play the guitar and my teacher, Cristian Aubin, said that I needed a better instrument. I realized that I could not possibly afford to buy a good guitar so I decided to make one for myself. It was a very simple copy of a guitar by Francisco Simplicio.
Aubin helped me; he had already made a copy of his own Torres, and had spoken to Robert Bouchet about the construction method. I completed fifteen guitars before I showed one to Bouchet in 1960. In 1967, I anonymously entered a competition in which the jury included both Fleta and Bouchet. I was awarded a silver medal for the sound of my guitar and a gold one for the craftsmanship.
My earlier guitars were relatively simple, pleasant to play, and the sound was quite explosive. Since about 1973, I have increased the weight and the guitars have more sustain, and a richer, sweeter sound, but they are still easy to play. (On the whole, modern guitars seem more difficult to play than those made thirty to fifty years ago, although they do give more vigor, contrast, colour, sustain, and have more timbral and dynamic possibilities).