From a fairly large number of surviving original guitars I have chosen models which represent the major schools of guitar making traditions – Spanish, Italian, French and German (in chronological order) and also suit their intended use. Some of the surviving early 17th century Italian guitars with a rather deep and vaulted type of back, for example, have a string length of 72 – 73 cm which suggests their primary role as accompanying (strummed) instruments. On the mid – late 17th century guitars of Italian, French and German schools the string length, in general, falls into the range of 67 – 69 cm which is more suitable for solo music.

Vaulted-back model: M. Sellas, Venice 1634 (Edinburgh), Mid-17th century Italy “G.C. fecit” (Paris), Late 17th century German school (Inv. No 424, St-Petersburg), Iberian c. 1740 – 1750 (Edinburgh), etc.

Flat back model: c. 1590 Portuguese (from the former collection of R.Spencer), J. Voboam, Paris 1687 (Paris), A. Voboam, Paris 1676 (Paris), Mid-17th century Italian (Inv. No 316, St-Petersburg), “… in mailamdt 1633” (private collection) etc.

* * *

For those who are interested in playing late 18th – early 19th century guitar music on a period instrument I would like to offer reproductions of some original guitars by such makers as: J.Pages, Aldric, Mast, Mauchant, Lacote, Stauffer etc. In the course of my extensive restoration work I have been fortunate to closely examine and document a number of fine examples of these guitars.

4-course fluted-back guitar (SL 54 - 55cm)

From £ 2400

5-course fluted-back guitar (SL 66cm) with cocobolo back ribs, ebony sides

From £ 2850