John Dick, 2024

This 2024 traditional guitar by veteran American luthier John Dick represents the continued refinement of a builder who spent decades perfecting his craft. It is the first 640 mm scale example we have seen from John Dick, following an earlier 650 mm cedar top model, and it carries the same care and heart he poured into all of his instruments.

John Dick passed away a short time ago, which makes this guitar a particularly meaningful one to share, and a chance to get to know (or own) one of his final works.

Specifications

Luthier: John Dick
Year: 2024
Top: Bear Claw Spruce
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Construction: Traditional, five fan bracing
Scale Length: 640 mm
Nut Width: 51 mm
Tuners: Klaus Schaller
Strings: D'Addario XTC45FF with normal tension nylon first string
https://ddar.io/guitar-collection
Condition: Excellent

Sound

On the first chord, this guitar feels a touch more reserved and refined rather than loud or dominant. But it rewards familiarity: it is not a guitar that needs to be played gently or carefully. It takes a hard, driving touch and responds like a traditional Spanish guitar. The overall character is warmer and fatter, with a slightly slower response, but with generous sustain and a surprisingly wide color palette, including real brightness right around the base of the rosette. The sound stays balanced and controlled across the full range, and the open low E shares the same character as the fretted notes, which is a very desirable quality.

Playability

At 640 mm scale with a 51 mm nut width, this guitar is extremely comfortable to play, with left hand stretches feeling noticeably easier without the body or overall dimensions feeling smaller. The neck is reinforced, with a comfortable C shape profile that picks up a hint of a D shape further up the sides. Tall, wide frets and a low, responsive action make it easy to lean into notes, and a raised fingerboard keeps the upper frets easily accessible.

Construction & Design

The top is a beautiful bear claw spruce over a five fan bracing design. The rosette is a Hernandez inspired motif with very nice coloring, and that same Hernandez inspired nod appears again in the headstock design. The bridge appears to be Wenge, finished with what looks to be an oil finish. Turning the guitar around, the back and sides are a nice set of Indian rosewood, with a reddish heel cap (likely paduk) that continues along the guitar's bindings. Big mother of pearl dots mark the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets. Tuning machines are high quality German Klaus Schaller units, with simple base plates, ebony buttons, and white rollers.

Excellent condition, with very little sign of play.