Daniel Friederich 1978 No. 476

Overview

There is an unmistakable quality to every truly great Daniel Friederich guitar from this period.

It is something in the way the notes seem to blossom out of the instrument. The way each tone blooms and expands gives these guitars a regal, deeply sophisticated character that is extraordinarily difficult to find elsewhere in the classical guitar world.

This 1978 Daniel Friederich No. 476 is a stunning example from one of the most sought-after periods of Friederich’s output. By this time, Friederich had fully developed many of the design characteristics that would define his mature instruments, including his use of laminated sides, contributing to the remarkable richness, projection, and complexity these guitars are celebrated for today.

Built with a glowing cedar top and beautiful Indian rosewood back and sides, this guitar delivers exactly what players dream of when they imagine an exceptional Friederich: lyrical trebles, explosive yet controlled basses, flawless balance, and a responsiveness that makes music feel almost effortless.

And then there is something impossible to ignore: this guitar simply feels alive.

The notes connect into one another with an ease and elegance that creates a nearly orchestral aura around the player. It is one of those rare instruments where you genuinely feel like you can do no harm musically. Everything flows naturally.

Quite honestly, this is a dreamboat of a guitar.

Specs

Maker: Daniel Friederich
Year: 1978
Number: 476
Top: Cedar
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Scale Length: 650mm
Nut Width: 53mm
Bracing: Seven Fan Bracing with Cedar Braces
Sides: Laminated Sides
Tuners: Original Fustero Tuners
Finish: French Polish (professionally touched up)

Strings: D’Addario XTC45FF, with the first string replaced by a high tension Pro Arte nylon first string.

D’Addario XTC45FF Strings

Aesthetics & Craftsmanship

Daniel Friederich’s craftsmanship remains among the most refined and instantly recognizable in the history of modern classical guitar making.

The cedar top on this example possesses that characteristic glowing amber-orange hue so often associated with Friederich’s shellac finish work. In person, the visual effect is mesmerizing. The guitar immediately communicates that you are holding something extraordinary.

The Indian rosewood back and sides are especially elegant here, showing a lighter and highly attractive set of rosewood with wonderful depth and texture.

The classic Friederich rosette is present both around the soundhole and echoed again at the tie block, one of the subtle but beautiful touches that helped define his instruments aesthetically.

The headstock is equally striking, featuring Friederich’s iconic concert model design with intricate center inlay work and beautifully executed slot detailing. It is genuinely one of those headstocks that feels even more impressive in person than in photographs.

This guitar also retains its highly sought-after original Fustero tuners, which function beautifully and smoothly.

Inside the guitar, the craftsmanship is exactly what one hopes to see from a great Friederich of this era: his traditional seven fan bracing pattern with cedar braces, executed with the precision and scientific attention to detail that made him one of the most respected makers of the twentieth century.

And yes, perhaps the most unexpected detail of all: the aroma.

This guitar smells absolutely heavenly. Whether it is the aged cedar, the Indian rosewood, or simply decades of natural aging interacting together, the result is unforgettable. Among the countless great guitars we have handled, this one genuinely stands out.

Sound

The sound of this guitar is simply exceptional.

Every great Friederich possesses that special blooming quality to the notes, but this example demonstrates it at an especially high level. Notes do not merely project outward. They unfold, expand, and connect into each other in a way that creates tremendous depth and sophistication in the sound.

The overall voice is rich, colorful, and deeply musical.

The basses are exactly what one hopes for from a mature Friederich: powerful, open, and commanding, while still maintaining refinement and control. They possess tremendous presence without ever becoming clumsy or overwhelming.

The trebles are where the magic becomes truly addictive.

While Friederich guitars are often associated with a sweet, chocolatey warmth, this guitar also possesses remarkable shimmer, clarity, and brilliance. The first string sings effortlessly with beautiful sustain and transparency, while the second string may genuinely be one of the finest we have encountered on any Friederich.

Quite frankly, this is the sort of guitar that could ruin other guitars for you.

The balance and evenness across the strings are extraordinary. The fourth and fifth strings share nearly identical tonal character, making musical phrasing feel incredibly predictable and natural under the hands.

Perhaps most impressively, this guitar rewards musical risk-taking. It responds beautifully to a huge variety of right-hand colors and articulations. It can produce an incredibly sweet and gentle sound, yet remains intensely responsive and alive under stronger attack.

Every note feels energized.

It straddles this beautiful line between warmth and responsiveness. It never feels sleepy or overly soft. Instead, every note feels active, blooming, and connected to the next.

This is also one of those rare guitars where you can truly hear the notes ring into each other, building layers of color and complexity as phrases unfold.

It is the kind of guitar that reminds the player why Friederich remains one of the most revered names in classical guitar history.

Playability

The guitar is currently set up with very low action while still maintaining excellent clarity and headroom. There is also plenty of remaining saddle height and an excellent break angle over the saddle.

Despite the low setup, the guitar can be driven aggressively without buzzing and responds beautifully to a wide dynamic range.

This is very much the type of guitar that rewards proper right-hand technique and projection into the soundhole. When the string is sent deeply into the guitar, the instrument responds with remarkable richness and sustain.

The neck profile is very much in line with what one expects from Friederich during this period: a comfortable slightly thicker D-shaped neck that feels substantial yet highly natural in the hand.

The traditional 650mm scale and 53.5mm nut width combination feels wonderfully balanced and familiar.

Condition

For a guitar built in 1978, this example remains in remarkable condition.

Most importantly, the guitar is completely crack free, including the top, back, and sides.

The cedar top shows surprisingly little nail wear overall, especially considering the instrument’s age. There are scattered small marks and signs of normal use throughout the guitar, exactly what one hopes to see on a well-loved concert instrument rather than an over-restored example.

The back and sides remain beautifully preserved as well.

Over time, areas of the original French polish experienced normal wear from decades of playing and contact with the body, and portions of the finish were professionally touched up some years ago by a respected industry specialist. The work was very well executed, and today the guitar presents beautifully with a rich, glowing appearance.

Structurally, the guitar is excellent.

The original Fustero tuners function wonderfully and smoothly.

Historical Perspective

Daniel Friederich is widely regarded as one of the most important classical guitar makers of the twentieth century.

Strongly influenced by the French tradition stemming from Robert Bouchet, Friederich ultimately developed a voice and design philosophy entirely his own: powerful yet elegant, deeply refined yet highly responsive.

By the late 1970s, Friederich had fully entered what many players and collectors consider his golden period. Instruments from this era remain among the most desirable and collectible modern classical guitars ever made.

This 1978 example captures exactly why.

The combination of the laminated sides, mature cedar voice, refined craftsmanship, and astonishing tonal sophistication creates a musical experience that is difficult to replicate in any other guitar.

If you have never experienced a truly great Friederich, this guitar would be an extraordinary place to begin.

And if you already know these instruments well, we strongly believe this guitar would still bring something uniquely special to even a very serious collection.

Worldwide shipping is available.

If you're interested in purchasing, please write to me at evan@guitarcollection.com

Please note: Free UPS 2nd day air shipping is included if paid via a feeless method. Please contact for payment information.