This is a special guitar we have here. One of only four steel strings that Joshia De Jonge has ever made. Joshia grew up in her fathers (Sergei De Jonge) shop and started building at a young age, and the experience shows. This OMC in East Indian Rosewood and Cedar from Joshia is a spectacular instrument in every regard, from fit to finish, and tone to playabilty, this is a guitar that stuns the player from the first note. Joshia is primarily a classical guitar builder, so you can be sure that this steel string is a responsive, lightly built fingerpickers dream, with an articulate tone from bass to trebles.

Cream of the crop, and then some. And then some more. This is what happens when Sergei de Jonge shoots for the moon, and nails it. His Chelsea Presentation model from 2005 fires on all cylinders, from voice to visuals. Extremely rare Birdseye Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up with Adirondack Spruce on top; Figured Snakewood appointments wrap the body and are used for both the bridge and the fingerboard; gold Rodgers tuners with Black Pearl buttons; Fossilized Ivory nut & saddle. After just one strum, we were struck by the immediacy and clarity of the voice. There’s crisp note definition from bass to treble, and a smoothness to the bottom end that really fills out the voice. It’s lovely in Standard, and also holds up handsomely tuned down—plus the silky smooth setup is an exercise in effortlessness. From tuner to tail, inside and out, this de Jonge Chelsea Presentation model is a work of art that stands in a category all its own.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, guitarbulding, fingerstyle, bird’s eye, brazilian, adriondack, abalone, 509

Sergei de Jonge is not only one of the premiere Canadian Luthier’s but he also teaches many up and coming builders. He has decades of knowledge and experience building both Steel String and Nylon String guitars. His voice is identifiable by it’s clarity and balance. This SSS guitar has balance and articulation for the player who wants to hear every nuance in the music. The body features premium Brazilian Rosewood and a Bearclaw Spruce top that is simply breathtaking to behold. It has symmetrical figure that is simply stunning.

Flamed Koa paired with bearclaw Spruce makes a gorgeous canvas for your music in this guitar. The natural beauty of the wood makes for a natural elegance, there is no abalone so the wood is allowed to shine. The spalted rosette completes the look. The tone is magnificent, lush and musical and very balanced over the entire fingerboard.

We’ve been out and about at the shows this past year to find the next great builders for DG to represent–and brother have we found some! Recently Paul met with David Murray, founder of the India-based Dehradun Guitar Company, who had an impressive Concert-size guitar to show. Long story short, we ended up snagging one for ourselves.

This brand new Dehradun Concert has a rich tone and serious projection. Featuring South Indian Rosewood for the back and sides and Red Cedar for the top, this guitar’s big voice will easily reach peak volume with even the gentlest application of a pick or fingertip. The satin-finished neck is set up fast and low for easy-breezy left hand work. When you let the trebles ring out, you’ll notice a few gorgeous overtone strains which seem to swell after a moment after the note’s been plucked; natural reverb at its finest. The Somogyi-esque interrupted rosette, Mahogany-and-Rosewood neck, and Abalone trim come together in an attractive package that looks just about as good as it plays.