❌SOLD❌ Sergei de Jonge Cutaway 2001

In the decades since the dawn of the 1970’s, Sergei de Jonge has been building guitars, starting as one of Jean Larrivee’s very first apprentices. Over that time he has built many instruments of high quality and great sound.

His workshop has moved from Toronto to Chelsea, Quebec, where many stunningly good instruments are built. This example is from his Toronto period.

The example of a 2001 Sergei de Jonge steel string cutaway demonstrates many of the qualities of Sergei’s skill. The workmanship and joinery are very good, and the design is very successful visually and tonally.

This fine guitar features a Sitka spruce top with a spalted maple rosette, and Indian rosewood back and sides. The body and fingerboard are bound with ebony and the cutaway follows the taper of the heel, so there is nothing for your hand to run into when playing the upper registers.

The Mahogany neck has an Ebony-bound Ebony fingerboard and heel cap. The head is finished off with front and back headplates of Brazilian rosewood, a bone nut and saddle on the ebony bridge guide the strings; the tuners are Schallers with ebony buttons.

One of Sergei’s strengths are in finishing. This instrument is finished in gloss lacquer – many of his newer high end handmade instruments use French Polish, which is not glossy. French Polish doesn’t afford as much physical protection as heavier gloss finishes, but reduces restrictions on resonant response. Gloss lacquer is an excellent compromise between protection, durability, and resonance.

The guitar has been played; there is moderate fretwear, and there are a few small marks on the top, but nothing through the finish. But it’s also been played in, and sounds very good with excellent articulation, volume and projection, and a full, rich tone with sparkling highs. The action is set to a fairly normal level, and there is lots of saddle above the bridge should adjustments be desired.

Tonally, this 2001 Sergei de Jonge steel string cutaway is huge. It’s fairly loud, the highs are rich and sparkling, the midrange is fully represented and the bass strings have the bell-like resonance of a plucked Grand. This could be a spectacular instrument to sit and play – or listen to – or record.

You can visit Sergei de Jonge’s website here!