Paul Fischer – 1985 “Panormo 7 Strings”

Description

Born on the Isle of Man but brought up in the city of Oxford, it was here that he began his career under the tutelage of the renowned harpsichord maker Robert Goble, making instruments within the finest European tradition. Further study at the Oxford College of Art and Technology completed his training. Paul is rare in having this skill with different instruments, but his love of the guitar led him to a chance meeting with the late David Rubio, at Duns Tew, Oxfordshire, a renowned place visited by Julian Bream and John Williams. As chief instrument maker and manager he remained with Rubio for several years. Success with his own instruments during this period under the Rubio label and stamped P.F (which can still be seen in use today), led him to establish his own studio in 1975. In 1983 he was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to extend his research into the forest of Brazil. Paul Fischer has served as an advisor to the crafts Panel for the Southern Arts Association, and also as a Technical Advisor and Panel Member of the Crafts Council of Great Britain. He still dedicates his life to making fine instruments with a panoramic view of the Cotswold Hills from his workbench. As the classical guitar has joined the mainstream in the second half of the 20th century, he has been one of the figures in the vanguard and at the cutting edge of the evolution of the modern concert guitar. His instruments have been featured in many publications including the best seller ‘The Complete Guitarist’ by Richard Chapman (Dorling Kindersley 1993), and ‘The Classical Guitar: A Complete History’ by John Morrish et al (Balafon 1997).
This guitar was built after the famous instruments by the Londonian workshop of Joseph and Louis Panormo. This instantly recognisable design was inspired by the Spanish luthier Pages whose instruments were brought to England by Fernando Sor. Panormo guitars are a very interesting link between the romantic and the classical guitars. It features characteristics of the first (small body, pin bridge, mother of pearl decoration) and of the latter (tuners, height of the ribs, fan bracing, use of rosewood and Spanish cedar), making it an ideal guitar for classical players wishing to wander on the romantic repertoire with the appropriate instrument.

This lovely seven string guitar is in excellent condition, which is remarkable after more than thirty years of playing. The nitrocellulose lacquer has aged beautifully over time and shows a very nice craquelure. This guitar has no cracks and very few traces of playing. Excellent Rodgers tuners provide a smooth and easy tuning. This very special guitar has a clear and vivid sound, with very beautiful overtones brought by the seventh string and very colorful, sympathetic resonances. It is a guitar that allows you to approach the romantic repertoire with the support of the seventh string, which is a real joy in both solo and chamber music.