Karel Dedain - 2024 - Arias
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
Important: Additional costs such as import taxes and custom duties may occur when importing goods from the EU into your country.
Delivery times are typically reliable and most instruments arrive within the estimated timeframe.
Should any unexpected delay occur, our team will keep you informed and provide support at every step. For all shipping details and exceptions, please see our Shipping Policy.
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Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Karel Dedain, born in 1976, has been dedicated to guitar making since 1998 and became active as a professional luthier in 2006. Based in Ghent, Belgium, he builds a small number of guitars each year, working exclusively on pre ordered instruments. His approach is rooted in the Spanish guitar making tradition and supported by carefully selected woods that are dried and prepared in his own workshop.
Dedain trained at the Centre for Musical Instrument Building in Puurs, Belgium, under Walter Verreydt from 1998 to 2005, and later became an instructor of classical guitar making at the same institution. Alongside his own models, he has devoted considerable attention to the study and construction of replicas inspired by historical concert guitars, including instruments by Torres, García, Arias, Santos Hernández, and Esteso. His research into these makers has played an important role in shaping his understanding of proportion, response, decoration, and historical sound aesthetics.
His interest in the work of Vicente Arias is especially relevant for this instrument. Dedain has studied Arias guitars in depth and contributed to Alberto Martinez’s book on the maker, a connection that gives this guitar a clear historical and scholarly context.
About the guitar
This 2024 Karel Dedain is a traditional guitar inspired by the sound world and decorative language of Vicente Arias. It is the fourth instrument of this limited style made by Dedain, and it reflects a careful balance between historical reference and contemporary precision. The spruce top and satinwood back and sides create a voice that is warm, intimate, and lightly coloured, with a natural clarity that suits the character of nineteenth century Spanish guitars.
The guitar responds with ease and has a charming old world quality, supported by an air body resonance between E and F. This lower resonance gives the instrument a relaxed depth and a gentle darkness in the bass, while the trebles remain clear, vocal, and finely shaped. Rather than projecting with modern force, it speaks with nuance, immediacy, and a refined sense of decay, making it especially appealing for players who value colour, articulation, and historical atmosphere.
The decorative work is an important part of the instrument’s identity. The rosette and binding show Dedain’s precision and patience, while the satinwood gives the guitar a distinctive visual presence, combining a pale golden hue with a dense and elegant figure. The result is an instrument that feels closely connected to historical Spanish models while retaining the stability and refinement of a newly built contemporary guitar.
Condition
The guitar is in very good condition. A hairline crack on the top, located to the left of the bridge, has been carefully repaired and reinforced with small cleats. There are also two short cracks on the back, running transverse to the grain and parallel to each other, which have been glued and do not require cleat reinforcement. The finish has been refreshed by the original maker and shows virtually no playing marks.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Guitars
How do I choose the right classical guitar for my level?
Choosing the right classical guitar depends on your playing level, musical goals, and budget. Beginners benefit from studio-model guitars from renowned workshops, while advanced players and professionals often choose a handmade master guitar. We are happy to advise you personally and can send detailed sound samples and videos on request.
What is the difference between a master guitar and a studio guitar?
Master guitars are built entirely by hand in the workshop of a single luthier, using only high-quality, well-aged tonewoods. Studio guitars are made in small series, often under the supervision of the master luthier, and offer excellent value for students and ambitious amateur players.
Can I try a classical guitar at home for 14 days?
Yes — every guitar you purchase from us comes with a 14-day home approval period. This complimentary trial applies worldwide to all orders, whether you are in Germany, Europe, the USA, Asia or anywhere else. We ship your instrument fully insured in a high-quality case so you can play it under your own acoustic conditions. If the guitar is not the right one for you, simply send it back and receive a full refund of the purchase price.
Can I try a classical guitar before purchasing?
Absolutely. You are warmly invited to visit our showroom in Karlsruhe, Germany, and test the instruments at your leisure. We are happy to schedule a personal appointment. If a visit is not possible, we send detailed videos and sound samples, and offer extensive consultation by phone or video call.
What payment methods and financing options do you offer?
We accept bank transfer, PayPal, major credit cards, and Klarna. For high-value instruments, we offer individual installment plans on request. Please contact us directly — we will find a suitable solution for every budget.
How do I properly care for my classical guitar?
A classical guitar requires constant humidity between 45 and 55 percent. Store the instrument in its case with a humidifier, avoid direct sunlight and large temperature fluctuations. Change the strings regularly and clean the guitar with a soft microfiber cloth.