Old Mission Guitar Collection
Featuring the craftsmanship of luthiers Charles and Patrick Cao.
| Crafted By | Charles and Patrick Cao |
| Year Made | 2024 "Friederich" model |
| Top | Cedar |
| Back and Sides | Indian Rosewood |
| Scale | 650 mm |
| Nut | 52 mm |
| Tuners | Bin Wei |
| Case | Fiberglass Hardshell |
| Condition | Excellent |
| String Spacing at 1st Fret | 41mm |
| String Spacing at 12th Fret | 49mm |
| String Spacing at Bridge | 56mm |
| Total Length | 39 3/8″ (100 cm) |
| Body length | 19 5/16″ (49 cm) |
| Upper bout width | 11″ (28 cm) |
| Lower bout width | 14 3/8″ (36.5 cm) |
| Waist Width | 9.5″ (24.0 cm) |
| Body depth (Upper Bout) | 3 3/4″ (9.6 cm) |
| Body depth (Lower Bout) | 3 15/16″ (10 cm) |
| Action at 12th fret - Bass Side | 4.2 mm |
| Action at 12th fret - Treble Side | 3.0 mm |
| Resonant Frequency | F# |
Description: Charles and Patrick Cao are two of China’s top luthiers and they have recently become globally recognized for their beautiful guitars. They build several models, including a double top guitar based on the work of Matthias Dammann, and here, an absolutely first-rate replica of a Daniel Friederich guitar. The two brothers own several late-model Friederich’s and have painstakingly copied every detail, including soundboard thicknesses, neck shape, the rosette and headstock designs, and more. Most importantly, they have captured the sound of Friederich’s guitars in these replicas. The sound is thick and sweet, like an authentic Friederich, and the power of this guitar is substantial. Being very responsive, It allows for a great deal of color and nuance without being unwieldy and overly sensitive to the players touch as some modern instruments can be. The trebles are full and thick all the way up the fingerboard yet still offer remarkable clarity. They absolutely sing and allow the player to create the most cantabile lines, due primarily to the evenness and excellent sustain. They can also be pushed hard without distortion. The basses are brilliant and full, giving the player the ultimate in power, clarity, and richness without coming across as boomy. The set up and playability are just right – with a medium thickness neck, low string height, and the ability to be driven hard without the strings bouncing off the frets. Charles and Patrick Cao have created not only a fine replica, but a truly world-class instrument in its own right. If you’ve ever wanted a late-model Friederich, look no further, here is your chance to have one at a fraction of the cost.
