| 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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