Ignacio Fleta - 1964 No. 339
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
Important: Additional costs such as import taxes and custom duties may occur when importing goods from the EU into your country.
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Should any unexpected delay occur, our team will keep you informed and provide support at every step. For all shipping details and exceptions, please see our Shipping Policy.
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Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Ignacio Fleta belongs among the defining figures of twentieth-century Spanish guitar making. Born into a family of cabinetmakers, he moved to Barcelona as a teenager and initially trained in the construction of bowed instruments. His studies with established violin makers, followed by further experience in France, gave him a technical foundation that extended far beyond the conventions of the guitar workshop.
After working alongside his brothers from 1915, Fleta established his own workshop in 1927. His early career encompassed violins, cellos and, during the 1940s, historical instruments made for the Barcelona ensemble Ars Musicae. This broad understanding of structure, arching and resonance would later become central to his highly individual approach to the classical guitar.
A decisive turning point came after hearing Andrés Segovia perform Bach in 1955. Fleta subsequently devoted himself to the guitar, and Segovia commissioned the first of several instruments from him two years later. His guitars were later played by leading musicians including John Williams, Alirio Díaz, Turibio Santos and Carlos Bonell. Characterised by powerful projection, substantial soundboard arching and a construction language shaped partly by the Italian violin-making tradition, Fleta’s instruments developed into one of the most recognisable and influential concert-guitar concepts of the modern era.
About the guitar
Built in 1964 and bearing the number 339, this spruce and Indian rosewood guitar comes from a particularly admired period of Ignacio Fleta’s work. Its voice combines the colour and expressive flexibility of the Spanish tradition with the breadth, sustain and projection for which his concert instruments became renowned.
The sound opens readily, giving even lightly articulated notes a complete and settled presence. Trebles have a bell-like focus and remain singing through an unusually long decay, while the basses provide depth without obscuring the inner voices. Chords unfold with clarity, allowing individual lines to remain distinct within a broad field of resonance.
What is especially striking is the guitar’s sense of completeness across different musical textures. Single notes carry with elegance, arpeggios acquire an almost harp-like continuity, and sustained harmonies retain both colour and definition. The instrument does not depend on a narrow tonal sweet spot; its voice remains compelling across the fingerboard and responds naturally to changes of attack, weight and colour.
The guitar has had only one previous owner and is accompanied by its original case and original purchase invoice, providing valuable provenance and confirming its authenticity and ownership history.
This combination of traditional tonal richness, refined separation and concert-scale projection illustrates why Fleta’s guitars became such important instruments for several generations of performers. Number 339 offers not only the authority associated with his mature work, but also a remarkable capacity to make complex musical writing sound spacious, sustained and vividly articulated.
Condition
The guitar is in excellent condition and has remained with a single owner since its original purchase. The soundboard is free from cracks. Two barely visible hairline cracks in the back have been glued and reinforced internally with cleats as a preventive measure. The finish has been lightly refreshed on the back and neck; otherwise, the instrument remains in original condition and retains its original Fustero tuners. It is accompanied by its original case and purchase invoice, providing clear provenance and documenting its ownership history.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Guitars
How do I choose the right classical guitar for my level?
Choosing the right classical guitar depends on your playing level, musical goals, and budget. Beginners benefit from studio-model guitars from renowned workshops, while advanced players and professionals often choose a handmade master guitar. We are happy to advise you personally and can send detailed sound samples and videos on request.
What is the difference between a master guitar and a studio guitar?
Master guitars are built entirely by hand in the workshop of a single luthier, using only high-quality, well-aged tonewoods. Studio guitars are made in small series, often under the supervision of the master luthier, and offer excellent value for students and ambitious amateur players.
Can I try a classical guitar at home for 14 days?
Yes — every guitar you purchase from us comes with a 14-day home approval period. This complimentary trial applies worldwide to all orders, whether you are in Germany, Europe, the USA, Asia or anywhere else. We ship your instrument fully insured in a high-quality case so you can play it under your own acoustic conditions. If the guitar is not the right one for you, simply send it back and receive a full refund of the purchase price.
Can I try a classical guitar before purchasing?
Absolutely. You are warmly invited to visit our showroom in Karlsruhe, Germany, and test the instruments at your leisure. We are happy to schedule a personal appointment. If a visit is not possible, we send detailed videos and sound samples, and offer extensive consultation by phone or video call.
What payment methods and financing options do you offer?
We accept bank transfer, PayPal, major credit cards, and Klarna. For high-value instruments, we offer individual installment plans on request. Please contact us directly — we will find a suitable solution for every budget.
How do I properly care for my classical guitar?
A classical guitar requires constant humidity between 45 and 55 percent. Store the instrument in its case with a humidifier, avoid direct sunlight and large temperature fluctuations. Change the strings regularly and clean the guitar with a soft microfiber cloth.