Before the Double Top: The Exceptional 1995 Matthias Dammann Single Top

Matthias Dammann is widely regarded as one of the most influential contemporary guitar makers, redefining modern classical guitar construction through uncompromising craftsmanship and innovative engineering. While his double-top instruments have become legendary among concert artists, examples from his earlier single-top period are exceptionally scarce and represent an important chapter in the evolution of his work.

Built in 1995, this guitar features a European spruce soundboard paired with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, utilizing Dammann's traditional single-top bracing design before his double-top concept became his defining signature. Instruments from this period are rarely encountered, making them particularly significant to collectors and players seeking a deeper understanding of Dammann's development as a luthier.

Despite its single-top construction, this guitar possesses remarkable projection and dynamic range. The response is immediate and effortless, while the tonal character remains rich, sweet, and exceptionally colorful. Every register is balanced with outstanding clarity, allowing complex harmonics to emerge naturally without sacrificing warmth or depth. It offers the power expected from a modern concert instrument while preserving the organic complexity and nuanced voice that many players associate with outstanding traditional craftsmanship.

For those familiar with Matthias Dammann's legacy, a 1995 single-top guitar is more than an early example of his work—it is a rare opportunity to experience the foundation upon which one of the most celebrated names in modern guitar making was built.