Edgar Mönch (1907–1977) was a German classical guitar maker whose lightweight, Hauser-like guitars, built in Munich, Toronto and Freiburg, were played by Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream and John Williams.
At a Glance
- Born: Leipzig, Germany, October 29, 1907
- Died: February 16, 1977
- Workshops: Munich, Germany (1948 to the mid-1960s); Toronto, Canada (1965–1971); Freiburg, Germany (1971–1977)
- Studied: the rosettes and bracing of Marcelo Barbero in his Madrid workshop, 1952
- Pupils in Canada: Jean-Claude Larrivée, Kolya Panhuyzen (his nephew), Ken Bowen, Joseph Kurek
- Output: roughly 350 guitars and a handful of lutes
- Played by: Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream, John Williams, Celedonio Romero, Vicente Gómez
A Remarkable Journey
Edgar Mönch's road to the guitar workshop was anything but ordinary. Born in Leipzig in 1907, he trained first as an engineer and a violinist, with studies in Danzig and Prague. It wasn't until World War II that he discovered guitar making. As a prisoner of war in England from 1944 to 1947, he found his way into a camp workshop run by the Y.M.C.A., and a new calling was born.
Building in Postwar Munich
Back in Germany, Edgar began building in Munich in 1948 from very humble beginnings: little more than a rented room and a handful of tools, with well over a hundred hours of handwork going into every guitar. He was drawn to the Spanish tradition from the start, and in 1952 he traveled to Madrid to spend time in the workshop of Marcelo Barbero, one of the finest Spanish makers of the era, studying his rosettes and his bracing. His Munich years, which lasted until the mid-1960s, produced some of the most important work of his career.
A New Chapter in Canada
In 1965 Edgar moved to Toronto, where he built until 1971 and helped shape a new generation of Canadian makers – among them Jean-Claude Larrivée, his nephew Kolya Panhuyzen, Ken Bowen and Joseph Kurek. His instruments reached players all over the world, including some of the most celebrated names in the classical guitar: Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream, John Williams, and Vicente Gómez.
The Freiburg Years
In 1971 Edgar returned to Germany and settled in Freiburg, where he built his last guitars, more and more often with cedar tops. He died on February 16, 1977, having made roughly 350 guitars, along with a handful of lutes.
A Sound in the Hauser Tradition
Edgar's Munich guitars are prized for a lightweight build and a charming, woody, old-world voice with great clarity and separation. Players often compare them to the guitars of his contemporary Hermann Hauser I. Segovia kept a Mönch for his daily practice, John Williams played one as a boy and early in his career, and Julian Bream recorded his second album for RCA on a 1959 Mönch.
Edgar Mönch's Labels
His simple printed label gives his name and the city where the guitar was built – "München", "Toronto" or "Freiburg" – followed by the year and a small number written by hand (for example 1953/8, 1969/83 or 1973/7), and his signature.
Books on Edgar Mönch
A 1954 Edgar Mönch is one of the instruments in Alberto Martínez's "34 Classical Guitars in Life Size", reproduced in photographs and full-size drawings:
Edgar Mönch Guitars at GSI
Many Edgar Mönch guitars have passed through our doors over the years, from his Munich, Toronto and Freiburg workshops, including one owned by Celedonio Romero. You'll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the "Guitars In Stock" button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the "Guitars In Museum" button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played Edgar Mönch guitars?
Andrés Segovia kept a Mönch for his daily practice, John Williams played one as a boy and early in his career, and Julian Bream recorded his second album for RCA on a 1959 Mönch. Celedonio Romero, patriarch of the Romero guitar family, owned and played a Mönch, and Vicente Gómez also played his guitars.
Where did Edgar Mönch build his guitars?
In Munich, Germany, from 1948 until the mid-1960s, then in Toronto, Canada, from 1965 to 1971, and finally in Freiburg, Germany, until his death in 1977. The label of each guitar names the city.
How do Mönch guitars compare to Hauser guitars?
Mönch's Munich guitars are often compared to those of his contemporary Hermann Hauser I: lightweight, with a woody, old-world voice and great clarity and separation.
How many guitars did Edgar Mönch make?
Roughly 350 guitars, along with a handful of lutes.
