Tristan Bligh, one of our performers in the Frye Museum SCGS Series plays a guitar made by Marcus Dominelli of Victoria B.C. Dominelli has been constructing classical guitars since about 1998, after attending the Timeless Instruments School of Lutherie in Saskatchewan. He has worked with fretted instrument repairman Dave Cahil and violin repairman and double-bass maker James Hamm. While repairing and restoring in their small shop in Victoria, Marcus built his first twenty five instruments, most of which were classical guitars. He uses Engelman Spruce, German Spruce or Western Red Cedar for his soundboards, and East Indian Rosewood for back and sides. He is interested in exploring newer choices for these woods, as you can read on his website, linked below; though, there is a problem in the conservative feelings of most guitar buyers, who are tied to the classic choice of rosewood bodies.

Marcus' instruments are finished with french polish, which he learned with Hungarian/Canadian luthier Geza Burghardt. Dominelli is a member of the Guild of American Luthiers. His instruments have been sold at Rosewood Guitar, Seattle and shops on the U.S. east coast.

On visiting his shop, I was delighted and impressed by the fine detail in his instruments (for example the marquetry of his handmade rosettes). Although my visit was brief, at first impression his guitars showed a fine presence, strong bass and the kind of even tonal balance that made my own instruments seem lopsided by comparison. Visit Marcus at his website, www.dominelliguitars.com, and (if you are from Seattle) wish for a return of the strong American dollar when you visit him; without giving away secrets, his instruments seem very reasonably priced.