Ignacio Fleta

There are perhaps 200 Ignacio Fleta guitars in the world. Of those, a fraction are in playing condition. Of those, only a handful come to market in any given year. If you are searching for an Ignacio Fleta guitar for sale, you are in a small, serious category of buyers — and this page exists to help you understand what you are looking for and what to expect.

Who Was Ignacio Fleta

Born in 1897 in the province of Teruel, Fleta came to Barcelona as a young man and trained as a luthier — making violins, violas, and cellos before turning to the classical guitar in 1955. This orchestral background shaped everything about his approach. Where most guitar makers work empirically, drawing on received workshop traditions, Fleta applied principles of violin acoustics to the guitar soundboard: precise thickness graduation, tap-tone testing to specific resonance frequencies, construction methods borrowed from the world's most acoustically refined instrument family.

The first guitar he built for Andrés Segovia was delivered in 1957. Segovia's endorsement established his reputation immediately. Julian Bream acquired a Fleta in the early 1960s and became his most devoted advocate — recording many of his landmark albums on it and describing the instruments in terms that made every serious guitarist want one.

The Fleta Sound

Fleta guitars have a distinctive tonal signature that players recognise immediately: a singing, almost vocal treble with exceptional sustain; powerful, well-defined bass; and a brightness that projects without harshness. The soundboard graduation methods he borrowed from violin making produce an evenness of response across the register that is unusual — notes speak at consistent volume and quality from the first fret to the highest positions.

His varnish was also distinctive — closer to violin lacquers than the shellac used by most Spanish luthiers, contributing to both the appearance and the somewhat dry, focused tonal character that distinguishes Fleta instruments from the warmer, more diffuse sound of the Granada school.

Buying a Fleta: Authentication and Condition

The scarcity and value of original Fleta instruments creates both opportunity and risk. Authentication is non-negotiable. The instruments of his sons Gabriel and Francisco Fleta, who continued the workshop, are fine guitars but different in character and value from Ignacio's own work. Misidentification — innocent or otherwise — occurs. Physical examination by an expert familiar with Fleta's construction methods, materials, and label history is essential before any purchase.

Condition is the other critical variable. These instruments are 50–70 years old. Top cracks, neck resets, bridge repairs — all are normal for instruments of this age, properly executed. Inappropriate repairs or structural damage significantly affect both tone and value. We assess every instrument we offer with reference to these factors and provide full condition reports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ignacio Fleta guitar price?

Prices vary considerably with date, condition, and provenance. Prime instruments from the 1960s–1970s in concert condition command significant prices reflecting their rarity and historical importance. Contact our team for current market guidance.

What is the difference between Ignacio Fleta and his sons' guitars?

Ignacio built until his death in 1977; his sons Gabriel and Francisco continued the workshop. The sons' instruments are good concert guitars — but they are different in construction and tonal character from Ignacio's work, and valued differently by the market.

Browse Ignacio Fleta Guitars

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