In 1964 master luthier Edgar Munch arrived in Canada from Germany. It was in Toronto that Jean Claude Larrivee met Munch and worked with him for two years on a part time basis before turning to full time building in 1968. Sergei de Jonge was one of Jean Larrivee's first apprentices and has established a reputation of his own as a luthier and teacher.

It is from Sergei's knowledge of guitarmaking that my development as a luthier has grown.

I build guitars that range from my concert quality classical (the C-49) to a number of performance acoustic steel-string guitars.  My steel-string guitars range from a wide body (not quite jumbo) Signature model, to a very narrow body parlour guitar (also available in a classical nylon string version).  In between is my L-49, a powerful OM style and the S-45, a small body guitar with exceptional volume. My P-49 is a concert model steel-string with the same body outline of my classical C-49. The D-49, a dreadnought with big sound, rounds out my present model listing.

Soundboard: Spruce or Cedar

I prefer the qualities of Engleman Spruce or Western Red Cedar in my classical guitars and Sitka Spruce in my steel-string guitars, but there are other options which will yield impressive results.

Back and Sides: Lots of Choices Here

I do not feel limited by tradition here.  Personally, I love Rosewood, but many other hardwoods will yield truly professional instruments and I will not shy away from highly figured hardwoods if they are acoustically sound and stable.  I have been collecting seasoned hardwood for many years now, and can offer more than twenty-five different species.  A list of available wood options can be found in my "woodbin".

 

	C49 Classical Model   nylon string All of the classical guitars I build are original in design, albeit heavily influenced by the master builders of both the past and present.  In the outward appearance of my classical guitars I have attempted to capture those elements I most admire in the guitars of master luthier, Edgar Munch.
	Signature Model   Steel-string My Signature model is relatively new and I'm very excited by it. While it is not truly a Jumbo, its comparatively smaller upper bout gives it that appearance. It has a powerfully balanced voice.
	The L49   Steel-string My most popular model to date. This OO model, 14 frets to the body is a powerful finger-style guitar.
	The S45   Steel-string The S45 is my first original guitar design and has proven to be one terrific small-body guitar! Lots of punch and volume, simply fantastic in an intimate venue.
	The P49   Steel-string The P49 is a concert steel-string, built in the same body outline of the C-49 with a classical look. Classical rosette and heel style as standard features.
	The D49   Dreadnought  Steel-string The Dreadnought is much more than a Country-music workhorse! The D-49 is well suited to the guitarist who accompanies him/herself or others in a mainly rhythm style of play, but also responds very well to flat-picking and finger picking styles.
	The Parlour Guitars   Nylon or Steel-string Built in either a classical (nylon string) or steel-string versions, this narrow body guitar is unique and speaks for itself.