Description
Back and sides made from the very best hand-picked African blackwood with a double-top/lattice soundboard made from finest cedar wood. The cedro neck has been reinforced several times at its core with ultra-dense and particularly resonant snakewood, including the heel. On this guitar we have applied our new, optimized heel, which ensures easier playability and a better left hand position above the 12th fret. The asymmetrically weighted domed soundboard that uses a sandwich design optimises efficiency. The 1A DTL delivers superior dynamics, a broad range of tone colour with a crisp and sustained sound. The materials used for this classical guitar along with its workmanship and sound mean that it is able to meet highest demands.
The triple-pierced rosewood-maple-ziricote head and noble tuning machines by specialist manufacturer, Klaus Scheller, underline the high demands that the 1A DTL makes on quality. This classical guitar impresses visually with its body that has been finished with a UV-cured high-gloss varnish and a soundboard that has been elaborately hand-polished with shellac along with a symmetrically crafted ziricote head plate in a sapwood design..
Hanika Professional Line 1a DTL Cedar Top Classical Guitar
The Hanika Professional Line 1a DTL represents an elevated tier in Hanika's catalog, combining double top lattice construction with a cedar soundboard. Built in Bayreuth, Germany, this instrument reflects decades of lutherie refinement and incorporates advanced construction techniques designed to optimize both volume and tonal complexity. The Professional Line designation indicates enhanced material selection and construction standards beyond the standard series.
Double Top Lattice Construction
The DTL model features a hybrid approach that combines double top technology with lattice bracing. The soundboard consists of two thin layers of cedar with a composite core, supported by a lattice bracing pattern beneath. This combination provides the volumetric benefits of lattice construction while the double top design adds warmth and complexity to the tonal spectrum. The result is an instrument that projects effectively while maintaining tonal richness across registers.
Cedar Soundboard Characteristics
Cedar brings distinct tonal qualities to the instrument, offering immediate responsiveness and a warmer color compared to spruce. The wood produces strong fundamental tones with generous overtones, creating a complex harmonic profile. Cedar tops tend to open up quickly, requiring less playing time to reach their acoustic potential. The material's natural warmth complements the clarity provided by the lattice bracing structure.
Professional Line Standards
Hanika's Professional Line instruments receive enhanced attention during construction, with premium wood selection and additional refinement in voicing and setup. The woods chosen for back, sides, and top undergo stricter grading criteria, and the finishing processes involve more detailed hand work. These elevated standards contribute to both the acoustic performance and visual presentation of the instrument.
Tonal Profile and Response
The 1a DTL produces substantial volume with a warm, singing quality that suits romantic and contemporary repertoire. The guitar responds immediately to touch, making it sensitive to dynamic nuance and tonal shading. The combination of cedar warmth and lattice projection creates a voice that carries well in performance while maintaining color and depth. Bass notes exhibit fullness and definition, while trebles remain clear without excessive brightness.
Playability and Ergonomics
The neck dimensions and fretboard geometry support advanced technique while providing comfort for extended playing. The guitar's balance and body contours accommodate various playing positions, and the overall design considers both acoustic optimization and player comfort. String spacing and action parameters facilitate clean execution of complex passages while maintaining the sound production capabilities essential for expressive playing.
Professional Setup by Geoff Ferdón
Every Hanika Professional Line 1a DTL at XGuitars receives a professional setup performed by owner Geoff Ferdón. With extensive knowledge of high-end classical guitars, Geoff personally inspects and adjusts each instrument to ensure it performs to its full potential. This meticulous setup process addresses the specific characteristics of double top lattice instruments, optimizing action, intonation, and overall playability.
Who This Guitar Is For
The Hanika Professional Line 1a DTL serves professional performers, dedicated students at advanced levels, and serious enthusiasts seeking a concert-quality instrument. The guitar suits players who appreciate cedar's tonal warmth combined with the projection capabilities of modern construction. It performs well in recital settings, recording environments, and situations requiring both volume and tonal refinement. Players seeking an instrument that combines traditional warmth with contemporary acoustic power will find this guitar addresses those priorities.
CHARACTERISTICS | 1a DTL
| Soundboard wood | Cedar, Grade 1 |
| Back wood | African blackwood, Grade 1 |
| Neck wood | Cedro / snakewood |
| Fretboard wood | Ziricote |
| Neck profile | C-1,5 mm |
| Soundboard bracing | Double-top/lattice, domed |
| Soundboard binding | Snakewood |
| Soundboard rosette | Z5-Ziricote with sapwood |
| Back binding | Snakewood |
| Head plates, front | Rosewood / maple / ziricote splint |
| Head plates, back | Rosewood / maple / ziricote |
| Bridge | Ziricote |
| Scale | 65 cm |
| Fretboard width | 52 mm / 42 mm |
| Tuning machines | Scheller standard |
| Body finish | HE high-gloss finish |
| Soundboard finish | Shellac high-gloss finish |
| Case / bag | BAM |
IMPORTANT: This guitar features a 12-hole bridge. This design puts the strings at a higher angle relative to the saddle, allowing a greater transfer of energy into the top of the guitar at the saddle. This gives this guitar extra volume and resonance. It is very important that the strings are tied properly to prevent slipping. For instructions on how to tie the strings, please see the video below:
