Dietmar Heubner, 2024

This exceptional 2024 instrument by Dietmar Heubner, a Berlin-based German luthier, is a fresh and highly refined example of traditional bracing done right. Heubner has developed a small but growing following for his craftsmanship, and this guitar shows why—it blends tradition, tonal depth, and modern playability into one cohesive whole.

The guitar features a spruce top with five fan braces and an additional diagonal bar, visible through the soundhole. Though not a double-top or lattice-braced instrument, the projection and responsiveness rival many modern designs. Its voice is open and full, with notably even timbre and sustain across all registers. The low action, comfortable neck, and excellent fretwork create a playing experience that feels immediately familiar and easy.

Aesthetically, this guitar is full of quiet sophistication. The rosette, with its impossibly fine diamond-pattern mosaic, rewards close inspection, while subtle accents of red and orange purfling tie the whole instrument together in a unique but understated way. The Bois de Rose rosewood back and sides are from a vibrant, rose-colored set with striking dark center striping. Matching rosewood appears on the headplate and rear veneer of the headstock, giving the whole instrument visual continuity.

The slightly elevated fingerboard improves access to higher positions, and the Scheller engraved tuners provide silky-smooth tuning and aesthetic flair.