Hermann Hauser II - 1958 No.635
Hermann Hauser II - 1958 No.635
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
The Hauser family is one of the oldest guitar making dynasties in the world, reaching back to the second half of the nineteenth century. Josef Hauser, born in 1854, was a respected zither maker and performer who passed on his passion for instrument building to his son Hermann Hauser I. The work of Hermann Hauser I shaped the modern classical guitar and his collaboration with Andrés Segovia in the nineteen thirties brought international attention to the German interpretation of the Spanish tradition.
Hermann Hauser II, born in 1911, entered the family workshop in 1930 and took over its direction in 1952. Under his leadership the workshop entered a period of exceptional refinement. His guitars are admired for their clarity, agility and balance, as well as a deep expressive complexity that has influenced generations of players. Julian Bream is among the artists who performed on Hauser II instruments and contributed to their legendary status. The guitar presented here belongs to this important lineage and reflects the mature voice of one of the most significant luthiers of the twentieth century.
About the guitar
This instrument from 1958 with the number 635 is an outstanding example of Hermann Hauser II’s traditional construction. It is built with a honey coloured spruce top of remarkable quality and Indian rosewood for the back and sides. The nitrocellulose finish is applied with great restraint which allows the body to remain lightweight. At just 1360 grams the guitar displays the airy and highly responsive build that characterises Hauser II’s most admired work. Original Landstorfer tuning machines complement the instrument with precise and steady tuning.
The tone is exceptionally balanced and clear. Each register possesses the same intensity which gives the impression of a single continuous voice across the entire instrument. The fundamental of each note is bell like and beautifully defined and the separation is outstanding. The trebles are lyrical, warm and charming while the basses are deep yet focused. The sustain is long and steady and the guitar responds to even the most delicate stroke with colour and grace. The palette of tonal shades is unusually large and the guitar makes it easy to shape voices and build complex musical textures. The coherence of the sound across positions is remarkable and the instrument retains its expressive depth at every dynamic level. It is a rare concert guitar that unites history with a living musical presence.
Condition
The guitar is in excellent condition. It has no cracks or repairs and preserves its original finish.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.