DT “Helene” – III-2026

– SOLD –

Another body shape in the Meckbach portfolio: “Helene” – here in a version designed for a short-scale classical guitar, built for a player with smaller hands pursuing guitar studies in Buenos Aires.

To fulfill my promise of building a “beautiful” guitar for her, I pursued several approaches, including the following:

Double-Top

With this construction method—utilizing a balsa wood core—I achieve an incredibly responsive tone. At the same time, the guitar possesses enormous dynamic range, capable of filling even large spaces with sound. Natural materials lend the instrument a romantic, sweet, and highly malleable tone, while it simultaneously meets the rigorous demands placed on modern professional classical guitars.

Elevated Fingerboard

The fingerboard, subtly raised above the soundboard, not only improves access to the highest frets beyond the neck-to-body joint but also creates more clearance for the right hand between the strings and the soundboard in the soundhole area. This design alters the angle at which the strings meet the bridge, thereby changing the tension forces acting upon it—a factor that further enhances the guitar’s sound.

Recurring Visual Details

Two design elements play a pivotal role in this guitar: the fine black-and-white purfling pattern and the curved diamond shapes surrounding the soundhole. The former motif is repeated around the soundhole and on the bridge’s tie block. The diamond shape reappears centrally in the new headstock design. The shape of the recess accommodating the raised diamond integrates seamlessly—almost magically—with my signature headstock profile of curves and angles. The overall color palette, derived from the chosen woods, is also echoed throughout the instrument, giving the guitar a beautifully cohesive appearance. For instance, the color of the neck is echoed in the body bindings—both are made of mahogany—while the pearwood used for the diamond motifs around the soundhole harmonizes beautifully with the cedar top.

Finish

To achieve a more classic, lustrous aesthetic, I polished the shellac finish on “Helene” to a higher sheen than in my recent work, opting against a satin finish. This gives the guitar a touch of glamour, further enhanced by a warm tint derived from ruby ​​shellac.

Tuners

The finely ornamented Barnett tuners, featuring a classic finish, are remarkably lightweight and operate with buttery smoothness; their timeless beauty perfectly complements the guitar’s overall aesthetic.

Details

Top: Cedar double-top with balsa core
Body: Indian rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Indian rosewood
Bindings: Mahogany
Scale length: 61.4 cm
Neck width at top nut: 48 mm
Carved headstock
Elevated fretboard
Tuners: Barnett
Finish: Hand-polished shellac