Jochen Röthel - 2025 - Cedar/Madagascar
Jochen Röthel - 2025 - Cedar/Madagascar
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Jochen Röthel, born in 1969 in Kitzingen, Bavaria, is a German luthier whose craft was shaped by his early exposure to woodworking as the son of a cabinetmaker. He trained at Lakewood Guitars in Giessen under Martin Seeliger, where he also formed a lasting connection with Michel Brück. In 1992 he attended a masterclass with José Luis Romanillos in Córdoba, Spain, which strongly influenced his focus on the Spanish tradition of guitar making. After receiving his master’s degree in 1997, Röthel opened his first workshop in Oldenburg and later moved to Sommerhausen. His work is informed by many years of restoration as well as the study of historical instruments by Manuel Ramírez and Hermann Hauser. Röthel’s guitars combine traditional Spanish construction with a precise, methodical approach that results in instruments valued for their clarity, balance, and craftsmanship.About the guitar
This guitar, completed in 2025, is built in the traditional style with a cedar top and Madagascar rosewood back and sides, finished with French polish. The Madagascar rosewood provides tonal depth and strong projection, while the cedar top adds warmth and responsiveness. At just 1365 grams, it is exceptionally light, a characteristic that enhances its immediacy of response and ease of play. The air resonance lies between F and F♯, giving the instrument a secure tonal foundation without limiting openness in the treble register. Röthel’s refined bracing produces a sound that is highly balanced, with a sustain unusually long even for this tradition of guitar making. Chords retain their integrity over time, with both bass and treble notes ringing evenly. The trebles are bright and bell-like, with clear overtones, while the basses are rounded and present without overwhelming the overall voice. The instrument also offers a very wide dynamic range, responding with sensitivity in pianissimo yet retaining strength and clarity under a powerful attack. These qualities make it particularly versatile across repertoire from early music to contemporary works. The guitar conveys a sense of openness and “breathes” easily under the player’s hands, giving both security and comfort in performance. Fitted with Klaus Scheller tuning machines and supplied with a Hiscox Pro II “Siccas Edition” case, it represents Röthel’s focus on light construction, tonal depth, and responsive playability.Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.