Model Panormo
1830
This is a copy of the premier builder of guitars "in the Spanish style" in London in 1830. I had an original one in the shop a few years ago and made an accurate drawing before it went to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for the "Dangerous Curves" exhibit. Ours is made of prime Brazilian rosewood veneers for the sides and back, just like many early guitars were constructed - both for strength and beauty. The top is a fine grained spruce finished with bees wax and polished to a luster. The neck is maple and ebonized mahogany like the original. The soundhole is surrounded with pearl and the bridge tails are inlaid. It has a fan braced top for superior overtone development, and has a carbon graphite reinforcement in the neck. The fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood and has EVO gold frets. A gig bag is included, and a wooden coffin style case is available at extra cost.
Panormo Models are available in Brazilian Rosewood and Curly Maple, and either in solid woods (upcharge for Braz. rosewood)or laminates of prime veneers. Necks can be natural or black.
Panormo made guitars with either "Spanish" fan braced tops or "French" ladder braced tops. Fan bracing generally yields greater overtone development and a richer tone. Ladder bracing lends clarity and a brighter tone. Both are very good, just different. Base price $5350. Wooden cases are available with this model for $475.
LaCôte, like most builders, made guitars in differing styles depending on demand. Illustrated in the photos below are two models with different combinations of LaCôte features. The lower one has a figure-8 headstock with "PegHed" geared tuners, a standard overlaid fingerboard with narrow nickle-silver frets, simple wood bindings, and mahogany sides and back. The upper model features a slotted headstock with machine gears, a fingerboard that is flush with the top and inset with narrow brass fretwire, multi lane bindings, and rosewood back and sides. Features can be combined differently on custom orders. They both have carbon graphite reinforced bolt-on mahogany necks and multi line inlaid rosettes. Both have traditional straight ladder bracing. The tone of the LaCote Model is typically clear and defined with excellent projection. Prices start at $5350.
Call or e-mail for complete price and option list (You can also choose from among our in stock models)
Model Renault & Chatelain
1780
The original of this model is in the Musee de la Musique in Paris. It is a fine example of transitional models from the 5 course Baroque guitar to the six single string modern guitar. It features an elongated body and a fingerboard that is flush with the top like earlier guitars, and metal frets, figure 8 peghead, and open sound hole like later guitars. The tone is full and sweet with excellent volume.
This model is available in Brazilian Rosewood and Curly Maple, and either in solid woods (upcharge for Braz. rosewood)or laminates of prime veneers. Necks can be natural or black. A 5-fan top bracing lends a rich and lush tone, while transverse bracing lends clarity and woodyness. Base price $5350. Wooden cases are available with this model for $475. Call or e-mail for complete price and option list(You can also choose from among our in stock models)
Model Vihuela &
Viola da Mano
C. 1550
The Viola Da Mano (or Renaissance Guitar) is set up to play like a modern classical guitar but it sounds rather more like a lute or Baroque guitar. It's strung like a modern guitar with two additional high octave strings on the low E and A to add some sparkle to the tone. It can also be strung up like a Renaissance guitar with 4 double courses of strings, just as you like. The sides and back are a beautiful South American Chocolate Walnut, and the soundboard is Engleman spruce. The neck is curly maple and the fingerboard is ebony inlaid with bone frets. The carved pegbox with an oak leaf scroll houses 8 Wittner geared tuners for super easy tuning. The bridge is ebony with oak leaf carved tails. The soundboard features an inset carved pearwood rosette in a Renaissance pattern and two chip-carved rosettes in the upper bout. The edges of the body are overhung like a violin. It is really fun to play! $6000.
HERE is a sound sample: Luis Milan Pavana 5 played by John Wiesenthal.
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The Vihuela (last photo) is a 6 or 7 course instrument patterned after Juan Bermudo circa 1550. It is constructed very lightly and strung with unison courses. The soundboard is inlaid in traditional fashion, and a Gothic rosette graces the soundhole. Please inquire on woods available and decorative options. Call or e-mail for complete price and option list(You can also choose from among our in stock models)