Hermann Hauser ® I – 1909 Contraguitar

Description

Hermann Hauser ® I as a German luthier, holds a leading position among luthiers worldwide. He took over the instrument workshop of his father while Josef Hauser ® was still managing the music publishing house. Hermann Hauser® I specialised in making lutes and guitars but also remained true to the construction of zithers. In the context of the Guitaristic Movement in Bavaria, Hermann Hauser ® I built a large number of different guitars; in particular the Vienna models and the Munich models in all kinds of forms, but all in absolute perfection. The Terz, Prim and the very rare Quintbass guitars of Hermann Hauser ® I are of highest quality. Even today, the sound of those instruments is still unsurpassed. Based on his special virtuosity, Hermann Hauser ® I developed technical, patented innovations in the area of construction of the guitar’s tops and body-neck connections. The Spanish virtuosi Miguel Llobet and Andres Segovia became attentive to Hermann Hauser ® I’s art of making guitars at the beginning of the 20th century.

This unique 15-string contra guitar by Hermann Hauser ® I was built in 1909 and is the oldest known contra guitar that was made by this luthier. The two-piece top is made of spruce wood and is framed by dark and light veneers which can also be found around the sound hole. The impressive looking one-piece birds-eye maple back veneered with spruce and the sides with maple. The head is connected with the neck by a German joint. Neck and body are connected by a Viennese neck-body connection and the fingerboard protrudes the sound hole. The guitar is in good condition and only has some repaired cracks on the top and some minor hairline cracks on the surface of the veneered back.