Sergei de Jonge 12 String 1981

Sergei de Jonge is a renowned Canadian luthier whose craftsmanship has captivated musicians worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to quality, de Jonge has elevated the art of guitar making to new heights. His instruments are prized for their exquisite tone, impeccable playability, and stunning aesthetics. 

Through his dedication and innovation, de Jonge has left an indelible mark on the world of lutherie, shaping the sound of generations to come. We witnessed this firsthand when he met the then 18-year-old Orla Strijker (one of the top luthiers in our repairshop), whom he later invited to Canada to learn the fine ropes of the guitar building process. 

Sergei set up his own shop in Toronto in '72, building guitars the way Jean Larrivee had taught him. The late '70s was a tumultuous time for De Jonge as he moved to The Netherlands in '78, only to move back just a year later to start building steel stringed instrument as well. In '86 he sadly lost his workshop and had to switch over to different work, all whilst keeping the workshop in the back of his head which he opened again in the early '90s. 

This guitar sits bang in the middle of that period and was made in 1981 for the British singer-songwriter and musician Roger Whittaker, who actually used this guitar on stage as well with the built-in piezo system. He was known for playing various 12-string models before owning this one, mainly Guilds and Gibsons. Legend has it that Roger was inspired by Glenn Frey of The Eagles, who apparently also played a De Jonge 12-string. 

This 12-string is built using the classic western combination of Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce. The body shape, the binding and the rosette however remind us very much of Classical guitars. As Sergei had only dipped his toes in steel-stringed guitar making for the past two years at the time of building this one, we aren't too surprised by the unique combination of features. 

This is a fantastic sounding 12-stringed boutique instrument by one of the finer builders in the world, and honestly the playability is still fantastic after all these years. It's also in excellent shape, with the main damage being in the form of heavy checking on the finish of the top.