1962 Dieter Hopf Classical/Folk

Luthier Dieter Hopf’s family has been building classical musical instruments in Germany for over 300 years. Dieter Hopf himself was born in 1936 and has lived since 1949 in Taunusstein, Germany. Hopf is now a world renowned guitar maker, and is a great innovator of classical guitars. His instruments have been played by top concert artists throughout the world, among them Alexandre Lagoya, Baden Powell, Jorge Morel, and Michael Troster. His instruments are well balanced with excellent projection and refined tone color, his workmanship is meticulous with attention to detail, playability and appearance.

Meister Hopf offers a wide range of guitars, including the double-top Progresso in the concert range, listing at $8995; the lattice Portentosa Evolucion; the lattice Grande Furioso which is as well a lattice classical guitar; and the Artist membrane, which was designed by Hopf and made in collaboration with Spanish maker Manuel Adalid. This is an innovative instrument that features a unique, “membrane” top, braced with a lightweight lattice system topped with carbon fiber. Indeed this area of the top acts as a separate, highly flexible membrane, increasing volume noticeably as a result. "La Portentosa Grande Furiosa" is the top of their line of guitars, and currently sells new for approximately $15,000 US dollars in Germany; a reviewer remarked that it is “At the level of the best concert guitars currently built worldwide.”

Now: this particular guitar is dated 1962, and the model no longer appears on Herr Hopf’s website, which appears to feature a spruce top and solid maple back and sides. Herr Hopf’s son wrote me that “Early in the 60s Willy Hopf, my father, offered handmade Guitars of highest quality from Dieter Hense and Ernest Köröskenyi and us, in his Guitar workshops, and tried to compete with new ideas in a lower price category.” This admirable policy apparently is no longer part of the Hopf marketing strategy, since the cheapest classical guitar they currently offer is the No. 49 Conservatory I, a cedar and rosewood model starting at 1745 Euros (about $2085 usd).

This guitar reflects the policy of the 1960s, in that it seems very solidly made, but not finished at the highest level. For example, while the top has a rather elaborate seven-stripe binding and the rosette is also inlaid, there is no binding on the back or neck. There is writing on the neck block: 8/305/ 14. OKT. 1962, which I take to be a model and production number followed by the date of completion, but I have no real idea of what it means. What I see appears to be a spruce top, maple back and sides, possible mahogany (or beech) neck, 12/18-fret rosewood finger board (not counting the zero fret), and rosewood bridge; the nut is 1 and 15/16” and the action is slightly over 3/32” at the mid-point low E—a bit low for a classical guitar. Given that it also has position dots on the finger board and apparently an original end pin, one might conclude that this is designed to be a “folk” or parlor guitar rather than a concert classical guitar.

Despite being almost 60 years old, the guitar is in good condition, with only the dings and bruises one would expect in a guitar this age; there is no sign of structural problems or repairs. It has beautiful design and workmanship, and while this is not a $15,000 guitar, it is most certainly a fine home and studio instrument. The resonance of the seasoned tonewoods is of course fully developed, and clearly superior to my 1962 Gibson C-1 Classical. The volume, projection, and intonation are excellent, and it is a delight to play. I am sure that you will be pleased with the appearance and performance of this modest instrument built by one of the great masters of European luthiery.

The included case is also modest, a vintage chip board case which probably is not original to this guitar. It is in fair condition, and fits the instrument adequately. While the stitching around the top is coming undone, the latches and hinges are fully functional, the storage space is intact, and it offers more than adequate protection for this cool guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. While payment by Paypal is preferred, cashier’s checks are acceptable; however, checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this unique guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase it.

Thank you for your interest in this rare instrument.