Gerold Karl Hannabach

Gerold Karl Hannabach was a highly influential German luthier from a renowned Schönbach instrument-making family. Trained in violin and bow making, he later established his own workshop in Bubenreuth, where he evolved from producing travel guitars to crafting individually built concert instruments for soloists. Inspired by Spanish masters such as Hernández and Fleta, he became known worldwide for his refined craftsmanship and exceptional tonal quality. Over his long career, Hannabach built more than 4000 instruments and contributed significantly to instrument-making education, earning numerous honors including the German Federal Cross of Merit.

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Gerold Karl Hannabach – Guitar Maker

Gerold Karl Hannabach grew up in a family of string instrument makers in Schönbach/Egerland, today’s Luby in the Czech Republic. He attended the local school for string instrument making, receiving training in violin and bow making. At the age of 16, he was drafted into the war and became a French prisoner of war.

At 17, he followed the displaced Schönbach residents who had settled in Bubenreuth and began an apprenticeship in string instrument making under Arnold Hoyer in Tennenlohe, who also originated from Schönbach. He completed this apprenticeship in 1953 and founded his own workshop in Bubenreuth the same year.

Initially, he earned his living by producing mass-market travel guitars. In 1966, he passed the master craftsman examination in guitar making. He became a specialized instructor at the training workshops for musical instrument making in Bubenreuth and later deputy master of the guild. From 1969 onward, Hannabach sold exclusively handcrafted instruments “to interested players and soloists.”

In 1973, he undertook a study trip to Spain, exchanging knowledge with renowned guitar makers such as Hernandez and Fleta. Starting in 1978, Hannabach served as a lecturer at international guitar-making seminars. In 1979, he played a key role in founding the “Bubenreuth Violin Making Museum,” which he continued to support with his expertise. In 1980, he was appointed a “publicly appointed and sworn expert for the string instrument making trade.”

In 2002, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon by the German government.

Gerold Karl Hannabach built more than 4000 instruments, including travel guitars, children’s guitars, ukuleles, and especially the soloist guitars that made his name known worldwide. His son Karl chose early on to continue in his father’s footsteps.