FONZO MUSEUM
COLLECTION

Matthias Dammann

Master of the Double Top Guitar

Matthias Dammann, born in 1957, is a German luthier who revolutionized the making of the modern classical guitar. Together with Gernot Wagner, he pioneered the innovation known as the “Double Top”, using a core material called Nomex. This breakthrough created a new standard for world-class guitarists, producing instruments with resonance, power, and precise responsiveness.

Dammann’s guitars became highly sought after among leading guitarists worldwide, thanks to their exceptional volume and sound quality. Renowned musicians such as David Russell and Manuel Barrueco, among many others, have chosen his guitars for both performances and world-class recordings.

Due to overwhelming demand and extremely limited production of only 4–6 guitars per year, waiting lists for his instruments can stretch up to 20 years.

At Fonzo Guitar, we are proud to own the very first guitar made by Matthias Dammann—the No. 1 guitar, crafted by him in 1986. This is a single-top guitar, created before Dammann officially began his revolutionary Double Top era. Despite being a single top, this guitar already displays the hallmarks of Dammann’s later innovations: a powerful, rich sound with deep bass, foreshadowing the brilliance of his Double Top instruments. We are honored to preserve this historic guitar, a milestone in Dammann’s legendary career.