Sebastian Stenzel (b. 1966) is a German classical guitar maker in Immendingen, in southwest Germany, and co-developer of the Frisch-Stenzel fret system for improved intonation. A Master of Crafts since 1996 and a teacher at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg since 2002, he is a great friend of GSI, and his guitars have won great praise from the many players who have tried them in our showroom.
At a Glance
- Born: 1966, Göttingen, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Training: apprenticeship in Göttingen (1989–1991); Master of Crafts (1996)
- Award: Masterprize of the Bavarian Government (1998)
- Workshops: Munich (1996), Sölden near Freiburg (2004), Emmendingen (2011); today Immendingen
- Teaching: University Mozarteum, Salzburg, since 2002
- Known for: the Frisch-Stenzel fret system; compact, ergonomic guitars; ouds; support for rainforest protection
From Physics to Guitar Making
Sebastian Stenzel was born in Göttingen in 1966, the son of a university professor of German literature and a schoolteacher. He enjoyed working with wood from a very young age, began playing classical guitar at 10, and made his first guitar at 13. Seeing how passionate he was, his guitar teacher suggested he choose guitar making as a profession. Still, Stenzel finished high school intending to study physics, but abandoned the idea when he found that practical application, not abstract theory, interested him most.
He served his apprenticeship with a local guitar maker in Göttingen from 1989 to 1991, and in the following years continued making and improving his own classical and flamenco guitars. After passing the Master of Crafts Examination in 1996, he established his own workshop in Munich, and in 1998 he was awarded the Masterprize of the Bavarian Government for his extraordinary performance in that examination.
From Munich to Immendingen
From Munich, Sebastian quickly built a growing reputation for his instruments as well as for his repairs and restorations. In 2004 he relocated his workshop to Sölden, a village near Freiburg in the southwest of Germany, and in February 2011 he moved again, to the "Center of Crafts and Culture" in Emmendingen. Today his workshop is in Immendingen, where he builds both guitars and ouds. He is the father of two sons.
Teaching at the Mozarteum
Since 2002 Sebastian has taught regularly at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He has also lectured at the Colleges of Music in Hamburg, Munich and Freiburg, and at several guitar festivals.
Supporting the Rainforest
Sebastian Stenzel contributes 20% of the added price for tropical tonewoods to organizations such as Rettet den Regenwald (Rainforest Rescue) and Dalbergia Preservation. These donations are meant to absolve neither the builder nor the player, but rather to focus their environmental consciousness and support, in a concrete way, the organizations dedicated to protection and renewal.
Sebastian Stenzel Guitars at GSI
Many Sebastian Stenzel 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 Sebastian Stenzel?
A German classical guitar maker (b. 1966) in Immendingen, in southwest Germany, and a teacher at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg.
What is the Frisch-Stenzel method?
A system of compensated fret spacing and fingerboard relief that gives Stenzel guitars the best possible intonation.
Where is Sebastian Stenzel's workshop?
In Immendingen, in southwest Germany (earlier in Munich, Sölden and Emmendingen).
