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Michel Belair - 2023 No. 64 Double-Top

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Overview

Michel Belair is an immensely talented Canadian luthier with an excellent educational background in music. As a former Alvaro Pierri and Roberto Aussel student, he earned a master’s degree in performance at McGill University and continued his guitar studies in Paris. When he commissioned his second guitar from Daniel Friederich, the desire to build his guitars struck him. He then learned guitar making from his friend and renowned luthier Jean Rompré. Thereafter, he benefited periodically from the expert assistance of Daniel Friederich. Following in his footsteps, Michel naturally adopted a very similar construction method and Daniel Friederich’s philosophy and scientific approach to guitar building.

The 2023 Michel Belair double-top guitar represents a significant advancement in classical guitar. This latest creation showcases a meticulously crafted cedar/nomex/cedar double-top, contributing to its exceptional sound qualities. The instrument employs spruce fan bracing, reminiscent of the Bouchet technique, which, coupled with the double-top design, produces an intricate and sonorous sonic profile. The guitar's sides have been doubled in line with techniques employed by the renowned Daniel Friederich. However, despite this doubling, the sides remain remarkably thin, ensuring that they contribute to the guitar's overall vibrational quality. This construction amplifies the guitar's projection and volume. Additionally, the inclusion of the Wave system, pioneered by Dennis Tolz, further augments the instrument's acoustic properties. This system, reminiscent of the Tornavoz device, is strategically placed on the soundboard and yields a prominent lower main resonance centered around the D#/E note range.

This instrument is beyond amazing, and this guitar will bring Michel Belair's career as a guitar maker to the next level. Bathed in the velvety shadows of sound, the instrument's dark, warm, and rounded tone envelopes listeners, mercifully concealing nail imperfections even after the most grueling concert programs. It is one of the most effortlessly playable instruments we've ever had the privilege to encounter. Given that numerous prominent figures in the classical guitar world have ordered Belair guitars, it's unsurprising if his waiting list expands significantly in the coming years.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.

Luthier: Michel Belair
Construction year: 2023
Top: Cedar
Back and sides: Indian rosewood
Scale: 650 mm
Nut: 52,5 mm
Weight: 1420 grams
Air body frequency: D#/E
Tuners: Barnett
Strings: Knobloch EDC 34.0
Case: Hiscox Pro II
Condition: New
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Video overview

Vera Danilina plays Toccata by Joaquin Rodrigo on a 2023 Michel Belair Guitar
Vera Danilina plays Mazurka Marieta by Francisco Tárrega on a 2023 Michel Belair Guitar
Michel Belair 2023 No. 64 Classical Guitar Review
The Weekly Guitar Meeting #68 - Belair, Fankhänel, Regis Leonard, Dedain, Santiago Marin | Siccas

While this guitar is sold, these are ready for you

  • Classical Guitars

    The classical guitar, with its soft nylon strings and characteristic timbre, has become a symbol of chamber music, Spanish tradition, and concert repertoire. Its modern form was shaped by Antonio de Torres in the 19th century, setting the standard for the body, fan bracing, and the 65-centimeter scale length that are still used today. Instruments in this category open up a rich palette from the refined Romantic miniatures of Tárrega to the majestic concertos of Rodrigo. Here you will find guitars that preserve historical continuity and at the same time inspire new interpretations.
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  • Luthier: Gary Southwell
    Construction Year: 2005
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Flamed Maple
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    Weight (g): 1385
    Tuner: Rodgers
    Condition: Very good
  • Luthier: Michele Della Giustina
    Construction Year: 2026
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    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: F sharp / G
    Weight (g): 1570
    Tuner: Pagos
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Mirko Migliorini
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Wax
    Body Finish: Nitrocellulose
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  • Luthier: Gary Southwell
    Construction Year: 2009
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Cocobolo
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
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    Air Body Frequency: F sharp
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    Condition: Excellent
  • Manufacturer: Armin Hanika
    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: African blackwood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
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    Air Body Frequency: F sharp / G
    Tuner: Klaus Scheller
    Condition: New
  • Manufacturer: Armin Hanika
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Caribbean rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Wax
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    Tuner: Rubner El Sonido
    Condition: New
  • Construction Year: 2002
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp
    Weight (g): 1685
    Tuner: Robson
    Condition: Excellent
  • Luthier: Paul Fischer
    Construction Year: 2005
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Quilted Maple
    Soundboard Finish: Lacquer
    Body Finish: Lacquer
    Air Body Frequency: G / G sharp
    Weight (g): 1460
    Tuner: Rodgers
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  • Manufacturer: Siccas Luthiers
    Manufacturer: Siccas Luthiers
    Construction Type: Lattice
    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
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    Tuner: Der Jung
    Condition: New
  • Manufacturer: Siccas Luthiers
    Manufacturer: Siccas Luthiers
    Construction Type: Lattice
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: Polyurethane
    Air Body Frequency: G
    Tuner: Der Jung
    Condition: New

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