12-2-2009, John van der Veer, NL
Dolphin Concert: DREAM COMES TRUE
Composing is like daydreaming. The best compositions are written in your mind. Not limited by an instrument, computer or sheet music; in the right mood, inner visions form a string of theme’s and sound images that manifest in such a natural way, it seems as if they have always been there. As John Lennon said: “I don’t write my songs, I just pick them out of the air.”
Imagining the sound of a guitar can bring you the same experience. For more than fifteen years, I had a vision about a nylon string guitar. In my dreams this guitar had an extended range of more than two octaves, the sustain of a top quality steel string, a response that made the instrument sing like a classical guitar, growl like a Flamenco guitar and capable to follow the most complex runs, both with the nails of the right hand as with a plectrum. But reality overrules fantasy. No luthier could help me. With that particular attack in mind, so typical for Spanish guitars, I tried my luck in all the well known ateliers in Madrid and Barcelona but without success. A pilgrimage trough California and Central America brought me a lot of beautiful guitars, but not the one I was looking for.
Being Dutch, I presumed I would only have a chance abroad, at least, not in the Netherlands. How prejudiced can one be. Surfing the internet, I came across the web site of the internationally well respected Dutch luthier Theo Scharpach, with a picture of a guitar looking like my dream. Discussing with Theo about my quest he replied: “I think I make what you are looking for.” So I drove to the atelier in Groessen, where Theo works closely together with his colleague Menno Bos, to try out the Dolphin Concert, as they call the guitar. The world stood still, from the very first sounds coming from the instrument. There it was. Not just the extended range of 27 positions, but everything I dreamt for, and more. The clarity and sustain of this guitar remind me sometimes of a grand piano, especially the way the individual notes remain transparent within complex chords. Every detail of the attack is present and responds extremely fast, making the instrument the ideal partner for a rapid right hand, both with nails and plectrum. The flexibility of nylon, the unique dynamic qualities of nylon, the warm clarity of nylon, in combination with the volume, sustain and fast attack of steel: the best of both worlds.
Thank you Theo, thank you Menno, for fulfilling my dream.
John van der Veer
Selection of recent testimonials
"Dear Theo, your classical is my favourite...
guitars are.. Daniel Friederich,.. Robert Ruck.
two Thomas Humphrey... Read more
3-1-2009, Craig Bachman, USA
18-12-2008, Mark Adams, England
7-8-2008, Frank Dunbridge, USA
USA: 22-11-2009: Tom Moore
Dear Theo, your classical is my favourite guitar. My other less favourite guitars are one Daniel Friederich, three Robert Ruck and two Thomas Humphrey.
Your build quality and sound surpass all of the above.
My Ruck guitars are the best Ruck guitars on the planet. The Friederich is great but is simply less sophisticated, less complex in sound quality and build quality. The Humphrey guitars are excellent.
Your build quality separates your guitar from the other guitars I have.
In addition, each string of your guitar sounds as the other strings with the same degree of volume, sustain and complexity. You have the finest Brazilian wood and it comes with superb sound volume and quality especially for a spruce.
They should study your guitar.
Sincerely,
Tom Moore
USA: 1-1-2009: Craig Bachman
The web site’s Dolphin guitar looks very familiar. I have not put it down. I have many other guitars, but this Dolphin is very interesting: The sustain, balance, and “voice - all very mature. The guitar suggests not only ”classical” and “jazz” but new music. I am very excited about it.
USA: 18-12-2008: Mark Adams
Guys, many thanks for the guitar. It is excellent. I have been playing most recently with gut strings so tuning the nylons up, was just short of torture. It is almost there now. Now I have to play it in. Superb work!
USA: 17-8-2008: Frank Dunbridge
The guitar looks and sounds beautiful. The guitar does not shout instead sings towards the audience; the broad spectrum delivers a strong presence that makes it possible to hear every detail even at the last row of the concert hall.