Interview with Classical guitar luthiers: Jaroslav Mach (Netherlands)

I'm delighted to introduce Jaroslav Mach from Holland, the Netherlands.

Q1. Could you please tell us about your luthiery and its history?

I have started to build my guitars professionally in 1975 in Holland. By 1990 I stopped making guitars to look for other challenges in my life. In 2010 I started to build a small number of guitars again.

Q2. Please tell us about your idea of a good sounding guitar, and what you do to achieve it.

To me a good guitar must be responsive to the player's hand and have volume. How I try to achieve it? It depends on the type of wood I am using.

Q3. Please tell us about your idea of improving playability, and what you do to achieve it?

First, the most important thing is the neck angle therefore I don't use the Spanish foot neck construction. I use a dovetail neck joint which gives me more control over the neck angle. Second, I use higher fret wire than the standard 1.1mm.

Q4. How do you see the future of the classical guitar in the 21st century?

My hiatus from the guitar building gave me a fresh look on the current state of the classical guitar. In my opinion there is a desperate search for more volume in the classical guitar hence the lattice brace and double top guitars. I cannot predict the future for the classical guitar but I sincerely hope for a bright future for traditionally built classical guitars because of their traditional sound.

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