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Edgar Mönch - 1959

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Overview

Edgar Mönch, born on October 29, 1907, in Leipzig, came from a family deeply rooted in music. His mother, a Russian pianist, and his father, a violinist and kapellmeister, nurtured his artistic upbringing. Mönch spent his early years in Russia, where he attended school before pursuing engineering at the Technical University of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). He later worked as a technical interpreter at the Stoka Plant in Prague, where he also studied violin at the conservatory. His introduction to guitar making came during World War II, while imprisoned in an English camp as a German prisoner of war. There, he learned the craft from a violin maker from Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), marking the beginning of his lifelong passion. Upon his release in 1947, Mönch fully committed to guitar making, refining his skills through studies in Spain with renowned luthier Marcelo Barbero in Madrid.

Mönch's extraordinary craftsmanship and perfectionism earned him global recognition, often being compared to a "Stradivari of Guitar Building." His dedication to his work was matched by his eagerness to pass on his knowledge, and his workshop produced notable luthiers, including John Larrivée, Kolya Panhuyzen, Ken Bowen, and Joseph Kurek. Revered for his meticulous attention to detail, Mönch crafted guitars cherished by legendary musicians such as Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream, John Williams, and Vicente Gómez. His contributions to classical guitar construction remain influential long after his passing on February 16, 1977, just two months after the loss of his son. Today, Mönch guitars are celebrated worldwide for their exceptional quality and enduring legacy.

This guitar was built in 1959 in Munich and has a spruce top, complemented by Indian rosewood back and sides. The beautiful, original tuning machines are made by Landstorfer. Soundwise, the trebles manage to project a direct, bright sound while maintaining a round tone, without any hint of harshness. These qualities result in great clarity and separation, and an airy quality in the vibratos that bring out the pleasing overtones the guitar has to offer. The basses are well developed and manage to complement the trebles adequately without overpowering them or falling behind. Playability is excellent. The guitar has 4 professionally repaired cracks on the soundboard and one on the back, and wear marks on the top but is nonetheless in good condition to be played.

Luthier: Edgar Mönch
Construction year: 1959
Construction type: Traditional
Top: Spruce
Back and sides: Indian rosewood
Finish: French polish
Air body frequency: F / F #
Scale: 650 mm
Nut: 50.5 mm
Weight: 1385 grams
Tuners: Landstorfer
Strings: Knobloch - EDC 34.0
Condition: Very good
Case: Hiscox Pro II “Siccas Edition”
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Video overview

Mateusz Kowalski plays Partita A-minor BWV 1013 by J. S. Bach on a 1959 Edgar Mönch Guitar
GUITAR PARTY! Ramirez, Fallah, Romanillos, Vogl, Mönch, Plazuelo, Nannoni, Aouam! 🔥 WGM #132
Edgar Mönch 1959 Classical Guitar Review

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