If you asked guitarists to name the single greatest classical guitar ever made, a remarkable number would point to one instrument: the 1937 Hermann Hauser that Andrés Segovia played for decades and called the finest guitar of his time. Behind that legend stands one of the most distinguished families in the history of the instrument — a German dynasty of makers who married Spanish design with Bavarian precision and, in doing so, changed what the guitar could be.
Hermann Hauser I — the founder of the legend
Hermann Hauser I (1882–1952) worked in Munich and came from a family of instrument makers. Early in his career he built in the German styles of the day, but everything changed when he encountered the Spanish guitars of Torres and the playing of Miguel Llobet and the young Segovia. Hauser set out to understand the Spanish tradition from the inside — and then to refine it with a level of precision and consistency that was distinctly his own. The result, years in the making, was Segovia's celebrated 1937 instrument, an enduring benchmark of what a concert guitar can be.
A dynasty across four generations
What makes the Hauser story extraordinary is its continuity. The craft passed from father to son across four generations: Hermann Hauser II (1911–1988) carried the workshop forward and built superb instruments in his own right; Hermann Hauser III (born 1958) continued the tradition into the modern era; and the family line continues with the next generation. Few guitar-making families have sustained such a level of excellence for so long.
The Hauser sound
A great Hauser is prized for clarity, balance and a refined, focused tone — a sound that is powerful but never coarse, with each note clearly defined and a beautiful separation between the voices. Where some makers chase sheer volume, the Hauser tradition has always valued precision and nobility of tone. It is a sound that suits the polyphony of Bach as perfectly as it does the Spanish repertoire.
Why they matter
The Hausers proved that the great Spanish design could be taken up, understood and elevated by makers of another tradition — and they set a standard of craftsmanship that still inspires luthiers worldwide. Original Hausers are now treasured collector's instruments, and the name remains a byword for the very finest in classical guitar making.
FAQ
Who played a Hermann Hauser guitar?
Most famously Andrés Segovia, whose 1937 Hauser I he regarded as the greatest guitar of his era.
How many generations of Hausers were there?
Four — Hermann Hauser I, II and III, and the continuing family line.
What is the Hauser sound like?
Clear, balanced and refined, with well-defined notes and a noble, focused tone.
