About Jan Zonjee Guitars

I’m professionally making acoustic guitars with a character since 1998. Based on the classical guitar and its traditional construction, I designed a couple of my own models. Sometimes elements of the world of steelstring guitars are introduced. I do have a strong feeling for clear, simple forms. For example the asymmetrical head with the little zigzag on all my guitars, designed together with the artist Anna van Duin. Apart from making my standard-models I very much like to construct guitars in which the ideas of my principals are implemented. The process of making an instrument together with its future player is one on the most satisfying parts of my trade.

I use various types of wood, carefully selected at several tonewood mills and –traders and dried slowly in my workshop. I’m using Indian Rosewood for my concert-guitars, but I love native woods like European Walnut or Pear as well. It’s my opinion that guitars made of these woods are just as fine as the ones made of Rosewood, although they may sound slightly different. For tops I use European Spruce as well as Cedar, each wood with it’s own character and sound. My guitars are finished with carefully sprayed and polished nitro-laquer. If you prefer a French-polished instrument or one with a combination finish, I’ll be glad to do so.

I’m not only making new guitars. I’m doing restorations and repairs on any type of fretted instrument as well, in my small, but fully equipped workshop.