Otto Rauch is a German classical guitar maker in Mainz, born in 1954, who builds his own model and guitars after a 1930 Hauser I, an 1885 Torres and other great makers. His guitars have been played by Angel Romero and Frank Bungarten.
At a Glance
- Born: 1954, Mainz, Germany
- Workshop: Mainz, Germany
- Trained: Apprenticeship with Klaus Roder (1985–1987); journeyman with Dieter Hopf (1987); master luthier
- Models: His own model; 1930 Hauser, 1885 Torres, Humphrey, Stauffer, Schmid and Stradivari models
- Players: Angel Romero, Frank Bungarten, Stefan Hladek, Benjamin Scheck, Barrios Guitar Quartet
From Rock Guitar to Classical Guitar Making
Otto Rauch was born in Mainz, Germany, in 1954 and began studying the classical guitar at nine. He later trained to sell insurance and studied business management, but by 1977 he was working as a rock guitarist and singer – and that year he decided to build a copy of the guitar he was playing, a John Birch electric (Birch is known for making guitars for Queen's Brian May). Thus began his career as a luthier.
By 1979 he was living in Ibiza, where he found an old Ramírez classical guitar in a farmhouse. He drew up a plan of it, and by 1980 he was making classical guitars.
Apprenticeship and Mastery
From 1985 to 1987 Otto apprenticed with the luthier Klaus Roder, making classical and jazz guitars, and in 1987 he passed his journeyman's examination with Dieter Hopf. He went on to pass his examination as a master luthier and made guitars for Angel Romero, Frank Bungarten and many other fine players.
Hauser, Torres – and Violins
In the late 1990s Otto began working on a model based on a 1930 Hauser I, noticing in particular how much the angle and thickness of the bridge affect the sound. Around the same time he helped a friend with string instruments and bows for the Mainz Symphony Orchestra, and before long he was making violins too. Besides his own model he makes guitars after that Hauser, an 1885 Torres, a Humphrey model, and instruments by Stauffer, Schmid and Stradivari; his guitars are played by Stefan Hladek, Benjamin Scheck, three of the four members of the Barrios Guitar Quartet and many others. He also plays and composes for the guitar, including his "Suite Christophoro Colombo".
Otto Rauch Guitars at GSI
Many Otto Rauch guitars have passed through our doors over the years. 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 is Otto Rauch?
A German classical guitar maker in Mainz, born in 1954, a master luthier whose guitars have been played by Angel Romero and Frank Bungarten.
What models does Otto Rauch build?
His own model and guitars after a 1930 Hauser I and an 1885 Torres, among others.
