Here’s another rarity – a David Wren 8-String cutaway steel string acoustic guitar, built in Toronto during 1989. Now retired, David Wren worked with Jean Larrivee in the mid 1970s and, along with others from the same group like William ‘Grit’ Laskin and Linda Manzer, became one of the premiere Canadian guitar builders. For some years he was a partner at The Twelfth Fret.
Sitka Spruce
Here’s a lovely Huss & Dalton OM Custom built during 2002 and in very clean original condition, sporting a ‘Stingray’ inlay set and Abalone rosette ring. Built using the well proven Orchestra Model design, the Huss & Dalton OM Custom features an Adirondack Spruce top with tropical Mahogany for the sides, back, body blocks and neck. The bridge is ebony, the fingerboard binding is also ebony , the body binding is tortoise and the head plate is Indian Rosewood.
This Sergei de Jonge Classical guitar was built during 1980 in Toronto, following de Jonge’s return to Canada from a year in Holland and creation of a new workshop. Having learned guitar building in Toronto during the years 1969 to 1971 from Jean Larrivee and Edgar Monch via Eli Kassner, and then a year with Patt Lister in Collingwood, this de Jonge classical shows these strong influences.
With a design dating back to 1917, the Martin D-18 Dreadnought has been one of the bases of the Martin line since its official launch in 1931. The Martin D-18 Dreadnought shares a number of core design elements with all other Martin Dreadnoughts, a large body with Mahogany neck. What changes from model to model is the wood selection and appointments.
Now discontinued, the Taylor GS8E Natural uses the non-cutaway Grand Symphony body and pairs a Sitka Spruce top with Indian Rosewood for the sides, back and head plate. The neck and body blocks are Mahogany, with Ebony for the bridge and bound fingerboard. The top also sports an Abalone rosette ring.