Hugh's Fine Guitars are proud to be representing Maingard Guitars worldwide. Mark Maingard is one of South Africa's premier luthiers and has some very fine instruments. Read on...

Maingard Guitars offer an exciting selection of trim details, from basic black and white lines, to exotic Caribbean and African snail shell. Optional features also include ornate hand engraving, delicate mother of pearl and abalone inlay, plus silver, gold and gems. Further customising can be achieved by the use of hand dyed woods in vibrant colours for distinctly African style rosettes, trims and bindings.

Restoration and Repairs:
Maingard Guitars undertakes all restorations and repairs and are an authorised Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Fender and Ovation repair centre.

"There is something magical about taking a block of timber and from this, fashioning a guitar. The circular life flow continues by giving for to the wood, the tree sings again."

Maingard Guitars are all made of precious and rare woods, quartersawn, well seasoned and assembled in a controlled, relative humidity environment between 40 and 50 percent. For the backs and sides depending on the client's requirements, traditional tone woods such as Brazilian Rosewood, East Indian Rosewood, Cocabolo, Mahogany, African Kiaat, Bubinga, Maple and others are used. For the tops, the finest aged Sitka, Alpine Spruce or Western Red Cedar is utilised. These woods combined with many hours spent in hand sculpting the braces produce the distinctive Maingard sound.

About Marc Maingard:
Marc is a luthier of fine repute as well as being an accomplished musician, entertainer and composer. Marc was born in Durban South Africa to French immigrant sand traces its lineage to 1350 – a legacy of craftsmen, musicians, artists, lute and viol makers to the French court. In his early years Marc received formal piano and violin training playing in the Natal Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, he later took up the guitar and performed as a professional musician in South African and Europe.

Unable to have his guitar repaired in the early 70's, forced Marc to attempt the work himself. "Voila" He subsequently flourished as a repairman and now devotes his life to guitar construction and restoration. To further hone his skills Marc apprenticed to a cabinet maker studying, amongst other things, marquetry and French polishing. This combined with a year making violins and cellos set the foundation for his developing talent. Whist in the USA he worked with the Santa Cruz guitar company making acoustic guitars and later with Jimmy d'Aquisto perfecting his Jazz instruments. He also spent time with Martin, Gibson and Ovation and is now their sole authorized repair person in South Africa.

For three years Marc performed in Spain and took the opportunity to refine his current line of Nylon concert classical guitars. Each instrument has been designed to the wishes of the client and carries this personality throughout the process. Marc is an old world craftsman and each top is graduated and tuned by hand to give maximum resonance and sustain. Likewise it is voiced to insure that the balance and tone remain consistent or altered to accommodate the needs of the client. It is the intent of Maingard guitars to present the player a sophisticated instrument with well developed complex overtones and harmonics that will mature, inspire and challenge the guitarist throughout a lifetime.

FRANKFURT FAIR - Maingard Guitars will be exhibiting at the Frankfurt Fair on 29 March to 1 April 2006. Looking forward to your visit, to talk guitars and guitar-making.

"A unique and lovely sound; he's really one of the best." Steven Stills (Crosby, Stills and Nash)
Comments by top South African artists:
"Authentic jazz sound and easy to play." Jimmy Dludlu
"Clear trebles, strong bases and superb intonation." Jonathan Crossley

Please enquire about prices and availability.

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