Michel Belair

Montreal, Quebec

Michel Belair of Montreal came to lutherie as an accomplished performer. He studied with Alvaro Pierri in the late 1980s, earned bachelor's and master's degrees in performance from McGill University, and won a scholarship to Paris for two years of study with Roberto Aussel. He had played a Daniel Friederich guitar since 1984, and in Paris he often visited Friederich's workshop, absorbing the French master's scientific approach. Guided early on by luthier Jean Rompré, Belair built his first guitar and gradually merged his life as a guitarist with the craft of building.

Belair's construction follows Friederich's philosophy closely: methodical, measured, and deeply musical. Many first discovered him through his Friederich style concert guitars, and in recent years he has expanded into cedar and Nomex double tops with remarkable success. His instruments often carry an internal waveguide, a small cylindrical mini tornavoz credited to Dennis Tolz, which deepens the bass and lowers the main air resonance without dulling the trebles. Mosaic rosettes and tie blocks framed by wheat motifs nod to Friederich, Torres, and Arias, and details like matte finished bridges and Barnett tuners complete refined, elegant instruments.

The Belair double tops we have handled bridge two worlds: the regal clarity and detail of a Friederich with the power and warmth of modern design. A 2024 example offered bell like trebles and piano like basses with an evenness that made phrasing effortless; it kept pulling music out of everyone who held it. A brand new 2025 double top followed, with a thick, powerful voice and beautiful balance across all six strings. His guitars rarely stay with us long, so we suggest contacting our expert team about the next arrival.