Paul Hildebrandt - 2024 - Fichte / Palisander #13
Paul Hildebrandt - 2024 - Fichte / Palisander #13
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Paul Hildebrandt, originally from Rostock, Germany, discovered his passion for crafting, tinkering, and innovating at a young age. His childhood fascination with wood and numerous DIY projects naturally evolved into a love for musical instruments. Starting with the cello in elementary school and later transitioning to the guitar during his teenage years, Paul’s interest in music deepened. His first encounter with a violin maker sparked a lifelong fascination with the art of instrument making, inspiring him to pursue this craft professionally. In 2021, Paul excelled at the Klingenthal Musical Instrument Making School by passing the journeyman’s examination for plucked instrument makers and subsequently won first place as the top graduate at the national crafts competition, Leistungswettbewerb des deutschen Handwerks. Currently, he is furthering his expertise by studying musical instrument making in Markneukirchen, a town with a rich history in this field.About the guitar
Guitar No. 13, the sister instrument to No. 14, shares a nearly identical aesthetic with its counterpart, beautifully crafted to mirror each other in every visible aspect. The true distinction lies beneath the surface, where luthier Paul has varied the thickness of the top, an experimental touch designed to subtly influence the acoustic properties of each guitar. This meticulous attention to detail is part of a broader commitment to achieving the highest level of craftsmanship, with every element finely tuned to perfection. For those interested in the specifics of these variations, an interview with Paul provides a deeper insight into his innovative approach, highlighting the subtle yet impactful differences between these two exceptional instruments.Both guitars stand out as masterpieces of lutherie, boasting clean and precise acoustic qualities that make them suitable for a wide range of musical styles. The clarity of sound produced by these instruments is particularly remarkable, facilitating the performance of complex polyphonic works with ease. This clarity ensures that every note is articulated distinctly, supporting musicians in their expression of intricate musical passages. Whether used in a solo performance or within an ensemble, guitars No. 13 and No. 14 offer musicians the ability to convey their musical vision with precision, making them not just tools, but true partners in the artistic process.
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.