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Ignacio Fleta - 1963 No. 287

Overview

About the luthier

Ignacio Fleta (1897-1977) is one of the most famous luthiers of the twentieth century. In addition to being a successful guitar maker, he was a recognized bowed and ancient instruments luthier (violins, violas, cellos, vihuelas, and violas de gamba). After his death, his work was continued by his two sons Gabriel and Francisco Fleta and later by his grandson Gabriel Fleta Jr. The current waiting time for a new guitar is about 20 years. Fleta follow a different concept than other Spanish luthiers from, for example, Andalusia. Their guitars are characterized among other things by a 9-fan-bracing instead of 5 or 7-fan bracing.

About the guitar

This extraordinary instrument belongs to the most sought-after classical guitars in the world, crafted during the golden period of Ignacio Fleta. Notably, this guitar features a spruce soundboard, which was far less common in Fleta’s later work, as he built more cedar guitars throughout his career. This rare characteristic makes the instrument even more special. Its magical and grandiose sound transports the player back in time, capturing the essence of the finest 1960s concert guitars. The trebles are simply breathtaking—rich in color, beautifully sustained, and incredibly expressive. The guitar responds instantly to the right-hand attack, providing effortless control and dynamic expressiveness. It is also exceptionally comfortable to play and possesses a strong personality, a defining trait of classical guitars from this era. Additionally, it delivers huge volume, making it well-suited for both traditional and modern performance settings.

The guitar remains in very good condition, with no structural issues on the soundboard. It has four thin, repaired cracks on the back, which are fully stable and considered purely aesthetic.

Adding to its historical significance, this instrument was originally built for Mr. Piero Guarienti di Brenzone, a customer in Kenya. Included with the guitar are the original correspondence letters between Ignacio Fleta and Mr. Guarienti, documenting the ordering process. These letters reveal fascinating details, including Mr. Guarienti’s request for Andrés Segovia’s transcription of Albéniz’s "Leyenda" and Enrique Granados’ Danza Española No. 5 and No. 10, which did not exist at the time. Fleta, demonstrating not only his mastery in luthiery but also his deep knowledge and love for classical guitar music, offered transcriptions by Llobet or Pujol instead. The correspondence also includes details of Mr. Guarienti ordering a second Fleta guitar in 1966, further enriching the historical value of this instrument.

To preserve this amazing story, we have also included English translations of the original letters, making this guitar a true piece of classical guitar history—a rare and invaluable treasure for musicians and collectors alike.

Take a look at the presentation video of this special guitar below, where you’ll find plenty of additional information about its playability and sound.

Luthier: Ignacio Fleta
Construction year: 1963
Construction type: Traditional
Top: Spruce
Back and sides: Indian rosewood
Finish: French polish
Air body frequency: G #
Scale: 650 mm
Nut: 51 mm
Weight: 1755 grams
Tuners: Fustero
Strings: Knobloch - EDC 34.0
Condition: Very good
Case: Original

Details about GPSR:

Classical Guitar

Manufacturer Information:

Ignacio Fleta

Responsible Person:

Siccas Guitars GmbH, Roonstr. 31, 76137 Karlsruhe, Germany, www.siccasguitars.com, info@siccasguitars.com

Note: For antique guitars, the GPSR does not apply.

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Video overview

A Rolls Royce of Classical Guitars | Ignacio Fleta from 1963! WGM #142 - T'kindt, Sato, Migliorini..
Ignacio Fleta 1963 No. 287 Classical Guitar Review

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