John H Dick "Double Forte" Double Topped Handmade Classical Nylon String Guitar w/ HSC (2013 - Natural Finish)
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A HOLY GRAIL!
Here for sale is something that I never thought I would see in real life. This is a hand-made classical by John H. Dick in Iowa. These are WIDELY regarded as some of the most well made classicals on the planet.
From John: "I have been building classical guitars since 1993. I currently build only the double top (or sandwich top) guitar as pioneered by the German builders Mathias Dammann and Gernot Wagner. I have been building this type of guitar since 1998."
This one comes to me from an old friend. His name is Dusty and he is one of the most talented people I know. He also tends to lead a more -- let's say -- nomadic lifestyle. He is a wandering musician and a dang good one to boot. He hit me up not long ago and said "Hey man, I have this expensive guitar I need consigned. Can I leave it with you?" I was expecting him to roll up with a like a $ 1200 Taylor or something, and I had to pull my jaw up off the floor when I saw this.
The skinny on this puppy is that before he was a vagabond serenader, he was attending a university in Wisconsin for musical composition. He was in tutelage there when his uncle passed away and left him some money....which he promptly spent on the nicest guitar any of us have ever seen. (Dusty is quite a character; I will leave a Youtube video of him playing banjo in the gallery.)
Fast forward about a decade, and the guitar has been in storage with Dusty's parents for the last 5-6 years as he has traveled. Though it was stored in a temperature controlled situation; it was stored with the humidipak still in the case, so the finish on the sides was stippling and "sweating" due to humidity exposure. Luckily the top and back were fine, but the stippling on the sides was notable.
I am lucky that my old boss is one of the best guitar finishers on the planet. I had Mario Martin at Mario Guitars / Guitar Mill sand and respray the sides in nitrocellulose. You can't tell that there was ever an issue now. The sides look incredible again.
The other thing the prolonged humidity exposure did was cause the pickguard to peel off and leave a weird texture in the finish where they were once adhered. I have included the original pickguards in the case. That is the only real "damage" to speak of now, though. Functionally, the guitar is incredible. Plays and sounds amazing.
A few highlights:
- Made in 2013
- Red Spanish Cedar - Double Top or "Sandwich Top"
- Stunning Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
- Honduran Mahogany Neck w/ Ebony Inlay
- Black Gaboon Ebony Fretboard
- Wenge Bride
- Padauk Binding
- Maple Purfling
- Classical Body Style
- Lacquer Finish (w/ Mario Martin lacquer refinish on the sides.)
- Fossilized Mammoth Ivory Nut & Saddle / Bridge Appointments (CITES Compliant)
- La Bella silverwound nylon strings
....and that is about it. The full story. It is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime instrument. John's rate for a new build is now nearly $ 13,000....and I am sure the wait is at least a year. This one has been loved, but it is functionally amazing. Save $ 3,000 and many months of your time. You won't see many of these around -- guaranteed.
Like all my consignments, this guitar is being sold "as described" regardless of condition. See my shop policy for more information. Ships in a hardshell case (humidipak removed lol) with full insurance.
Got questions? Shoot me a message, I love nerding out with other gearheads!