🇩🇪 Rarity / 1981 / Master Builder Dieter Hopf / Cartagena f.v.t.s. (free vibrating top system) 🌲

Dieter Hopf – one of the most innovative guitar builders of all times – made this invention around 1980.  With two patented features:  f.v.t.s. (Free Vibrating Top System) and extra sound holes in the bridge.

When I found this guitar in 2018 the bridge looked as in picture 17 – 19.   I was confused and wasn't able to find any answers online.   So I wrote to Dieter Hopf – at that time at the age of 82 and still going strong !  And very kindly he sent me a letter containing a picture and a description of a similar model Classic II f.v.t.s. + two grids to put in the holes, that I then re-created.

This model named CARTAGENA f.v.t.s. is the former model offered by Willy Hopf & Co. – where Dieter was responsible for the guitar making.

Body length 48.7 cm.  Upper bout 37.5 cm.  Lower bout 29.0 cm.  Body thickness <10.0 cm>.  Body volume ≈15.8 liters.  Mensur 650 mm.  Nut width 52 mm.  Action 2.3 mm❗️ Body frequency between B and C.  With Knobloch CX 300 ADC strings.

It has a great magic tone even by gentle / soft playing – and has a few superficial inperfections.

Heel-stamp 316 / 071 15 FEB. 1981

Prepared for electric amplification:  Jack adapter at the bottom.

So far this model is known in only two copies. (I sold the other to a French in August / 2021)

The YouTube video is showing another model with the same Free Vibration Top System and bridge sound holes.

Comes with a NOHSC (Non-Original Hard Shell Case) 😉

Last picture: End-Ball options: choose between > 20 different ones

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Watch my store (Oh*My*Gut*Guitars) description about End-balls and my general views on "guitar" and "music teachers" – myths and snobbery❗️