Some selected statements, with permission, from customers
who have ordered and received my guitars. My thanks to them for allowing
their comments to be presented publically.
"...Then the scent when I opened, wow, cypress is something memorable. Then first impression, the top is an absolute beauty as is all the wood selected I came to find. I immediately had the impression I was holding a 120year old guitar saved from the ravages of time.
'la cosecha'...she is....adorable? Not sure if the connotation fits but she
really is...I still am amazed at the warmth of so small a parcel. She is
quite projective and reverberant, excellent qualities and all without
nails!! (apparently Torres knew his players too?) still can't get over
the scent of cypress, in addition to fresh Brazilian, very pleasing,
wish I had a chunk to lay out and sniff all day. The action is right on
the money for the tension of strings, the neck, again, like an old
friend. Please keep up the great work, like I said, you've got
something going, you've channeled back in time somehow and really have a
feel for the old pure Spanish sound and feel. I really would expect to
find you locked away in some side alley in Madrid...100 years ago.
Joshua Hernandez??" - Glenn Von Seidelman; NJ.
"...it has power, sustain and a beautiful enveloping tone I was hoping for. The overall sound has a rich very satisfying fullness and allure that I have only ever heard in my teachers Romanillos, I have played very rich and full Ramirez guitars but thay were also dark and muddy, 'la lluvia' is clear and separated, with crystal clear harmonics.
The guitar has opened up immensely since I first got it, and it now have even more of everything good that it had before, as the sound seems to be "learning" my preferences as the bass and treble are blending together just in the way I like it. She already is a great instrument but I am sure she is going to open up over the next few years into something really spectacular. One thing that I really like about her is that "Torres" even "Fleta" like boldness. The sound is thick and full compared to other guitars of such a design, it's great for players with sloppy nails! My girlfriend commented that "it sounds like crystal clear bells, rain drops on the water... perfect". and that is an honest quote. " - Matthew Masail; Israel
" In my opinion, Joshua
French is one of the top luthiers building today. I base this on the
quality of my guitar, Issa, and the quality of sound she produces. I've
had the opportunity over the years to play many of the best and most
expensive guitars in the world, and recently put my guitar in head to
head competition with many of these guitars in the same room. Joshua may
edit out these makers names, but I have no problem using them. [EDIT:
you're right, sorry! Thank you though! -Joshua], played in the same room
by the same guitarist, all of these guitars cannot equal the sound that
my Joshua French guitar makes on ANY level. Tone, color, pallette,
projection, clarity, and any other quality you care to name. This guitar
simply beats the pants off anything I've ever heard. After hearing a
video/sound file of Antonio de Torres' 'La Leona' recently, I feel
comfortable in putting Joshua French's guitars, at least the one he made
for me, in the same category soundwise." - Jerry
Hunsucker; Milwaukie, OR. See Jerry's webpage dedicated to
'Issa'.
"I am now
so attached to this guitar it's scary. She's so unique I just
don't think she could ever be replaced, even by you, although I know this
is way over the top and completely irrational. I love the feel and light
weight. Visually, she's so alluring that I can't walk past her without
picking her up. The playability I don't think could be any better....
I’m completely happy with this guitar. With other instruments I've
had or played, it's like you notice things you like but you also find things
you don't like or shortcomings that you have to get around. I keep
wondering when I'm going to find something like this with la aripuana.
So far, it just has not happened." - Jay Fuller; Memphis TN.
Read more here.
 "The
guitar is overwhelming. It is the guitar I was looking for, for a very
long time... Perfectly warm and refined in every detail. I am proud to
play such a guitar." - Hans-Werner Huppertz; Recording Artist
and instructor at the Academy of Music in Aachen, Germany.
Read
more here.
"THE guitar. What can I say that you don't already know??? The
feel is wonderful. There are not many necks I really connect with where
my hands move effortlessly and my fingers can transition from chord to
note, move up and down and stretch from fret to fret. I find it easy to
play and though the frets are not marked, I find my fingers know where
to land. Very custom fit!
"As for the sound, thats a story unto
itself. I'm fascinated by the nuances and the range of "voice" it can
accomodate. I can strike a note very subtley to express a quiet moment
then strike another to express extreme emotion and the transition is
just remarkable! There's no disconnection from the two emotions. The
guitar responds like a second voice. The moods are truly expressed and
conveyed. As for the looks, well, little needs to be said! I know you
previewed for me how the figured neck, sound board and headstock would
look but it didn't prepare me for the overall look. The rosette looks
beautiful. I just smile every time I take it out of the case. It's a
remarkable instrument that inspires passion and drive. Very beautiful
and emotional. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a
piece." - Eddie Castillo; Houston,
Texas.
"After approximately six months of playing and familiarizing myself
with la ansia, I can only say that I am totally pleased with the guitar.
I'm not quite sure how I would define or quantify how much it has opened
up, but it definitely sounds warmer and more resonant. I still marvel
at your workmanship, and how it is reflected in the beauty of the guitar.
Everyone who has seen it has complemented me about it...
"I recently told my wife how happy I am with it, and mentioned that
there isn't one aspect of the guitar I would change. And I still
contend that if la ansia is reflective of your work, that I consider your
guitars to be a great value and will not be surprised to hear of them being
"discovered" on a broader scale." Thomas Ryan; West Sand Lake,
NY.
"I have owned and played guitars by several other private luthiers
and still think for pure Spanish sound and aesthetics, no one is better
than Mr. French." -
Dr. Genaro Lopez; University of Texas at Brownsville.
"I asked Josh to make a guitar with a German spruce top, cypress
sides and back, and a tornovoz. I’ve owned, or have had exclusive
access to many “big name” guitars. My evaluation of Josh’s guitar
is based on years of playing those guitars. His guitar is almost
a year old and has remarkable qualities. It has a rare combination
of long sustain with an immediate response, throughout the full dynamic
range. It is well-balanced, and the tone is colorful and clear, and
getting darker. Playability is excellent. Josh was always
accessible and responsive, and I was taken with his devotion to guitar
making." - Tim Boehm ; Colorado Springs, CO.
"'La madrugada' is sounding better than ever
and it continues to amaze me. My teacher at Houghton frequently
commented on how dynamic and rich the tone was and how easily the guitar
played. He has owned a Romanillos among others, and currently owns
a new Daniel Friederich, but had the highest praise for and loved to
play 'la madrugada' when I gave him the chance."
Christopher Rathbun; Fairport, NY.
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