Hermann Hauser I and the Foundations of Modern Classical Guitar Making

Hermann Hauser I was born into a family deeply rooted in instrument making. From 1875 onward, his father Josef Hauser built zithers, guitars, and violins in his workshop, while also working as a music dealer and composer of zither music. This environment provided the foundation for Hermann Hauser I’s early exposure to both craftsmanship and musical practice.

Hermann Hauser I initially trained as a zither maker under the guidance of his father. Alongside his elder sister Marie Hauser, who later became a lute and guitar teacher, he received a solid musical education from the Munich chamber virtuoso Josef Wimmer. This dual background in music and instrument making shaped his later approach to guitar construction.

Musical Activity and the Munich Guitar Scene

From 1909, Hermann Hauser I was actively involved in the growing guitar movement as a member of the Gitarristische Vereinigung München. His engagement was not limited to instrument making. Between 1922 and 1926, he performed in the Munich Guitar Quartet, playing the first third guitar. The ensemble included Mela Feuerlein on first guitar, Fritz Buek on second third guitar, and Hans Tempel on quint bass guitar. This direct involvement as a performer informed his understanding of balance, projection, and ensemble requirements.

Professional Development as a Luthier

As a guitar and zither maker, Hermann Hauser I initially worked for five years in Munich at Braun & Hauser, the successor to his father’s former business. The economic success of guitar and zither production enabled him in 1921 to acquire the Max Amberger company, whose zither production he continued alongside his own work.

During this period, Hauser I increasingly focused on developing a personal approach to guitar making. By studying and refining the designs and construction principles of Antonio de Torres, he laid the groundwork for a style that combined structural clarity with controlled tonal balance.

Innovation and Technical Refinement

Between 1920 and 1930, Hermann Hauser I introduced several patented innovations, particularly in soundboard construction and in the structural connection between the neck and the body. These developments aimed at improving stability, response, and consistency, reflecting his methodical and forward-looking approach to lutherie.

Hauser I’s guitars from this period demonstrate a clear synthesis of Spanish tradition and German precision, a combination that would later become closely associated with the Hauser name.

International Recognition

A decisive moment in the international recognition of Hermann Hauser I occurred in 1937, when the Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia switched from a guitar by Manuel Ramírez to an instrument by Hauser. This change brought global attention to Hauser’s work and established his guitars as reference instruments for concert performance.

The British guitarist and lutenist Julian Bream also played guitars by Hermann Hauser I in 1936 and 1947, and later performed on an instrument by Hermann Hauser II around 1960. These associations further strengthened the reputation of the Hauser workshop among leading musicians.

Later Years and Personal Life

After the death of his wife Emma Hauser in 1943, Hermann Hauser I took over responsibility for the string spinning mill she had founded in Munich, which he managed until 1944. Suffering from asthma, he moved in 1946 to Reisbach in Lower Bavaria. There, he later married his second wife, Karolina Felizitas.

The Hauser Legacy

Following the death of Hermann Hauser I, the workshop was continued by his son Hermann Hauser II (1911–1988) and later by his grandson Hermann Hauser III. Since 2010, Kathrin Hauser, daughter of Hermann Hauser III, has also been active as a guitar maker in the Reisbach workshop.

The work of Hermann Hauser I laid the foundation for a lineage that continues to shape classical guitar making. His synthesis of musical insight, technical innovation, and disciplined craftsmanship remains central to the enduring reputation of the Hauser name.