1928 Hermann Hauser I SP/CSAR (ex Celedonio Romero)

The great Spanish guitarist Celedonio Romero owned this 1928 Hermann Hauser I for many years – a Munich classical guitar in spruce and CSA rosewood whose old top repairs were carried out by Hermann Hauser II himself.

Celedonio Romero's 1928 Hauser

Built in 1928, this guitar was owned for many years by Celedonio Romero, patriarch of the Romero guitar family. We previously also had another 1928 Hauser, owned by Julian Bream.

The Meeting of the Spanish and German Styles

This guitar is an exquisite example of Hauser's integration of the Spanish style into his own Germanic base – Spanish and German techniques and styles are perfectly synthesized in it, making it an example of one of the most iconic styles in history. Along with Torres, Hauser's guitars are the most studied, revered and desired of the great historical makers, coveted today by collectors, players and luthiers.

Sound

Sound is as one would expect – perfectly balanced, with great clarity between voices, yet at the same time it has a rich, deep texture that gives it a unique lyricism and great beauty of tone. Of the many Hauser I guitars we have bought and sold over the years, this one has an exceptionally strong "Spanish" character – warm, dark and very romantic.

Condition: Repaired by Hermann Hauser II

It has had some repair work done, including some well-done splices in the top – all carried out many years ago by Hermann Hauser II. The guitar is ready for the concert stage or recording studio, or for a luxurious evening of private playing. Playability is a dream for both right and left hands. Truly a remarkable and rare instrument from one of history's most important luthiers.

Hermann Hauser I: Master Guitar Maker of Munich

Hermann Hauser Sr. (1882–1952) is best remembered for the remarkable instruments he built in the Spanish style after 1924. In that year, both Andrés Segovia and Miguel Llobet visited Hauser. Segovia was impressed by the quality of Hauser's work and wrote his impressions, noting that he "immediately saw the potential of this great artisan if only his mastery might be turned to the construction of the guitar in the Spanish pattern, as immutably fixed by Torres and Ramirez as the violin had been fixed by Stradivarius and Guarnerius" (Segovia in Guitar Review, 1954).

Segovia, Llobet and the Spanish Model

Segovia encouraged Hauser to build instruments based on his 1912 Manuel Ramírez guitar (built by Santos Hernández) after he examined and made measurements of this instrument. At this time Hauser also had the opportunity to examine Miguel Llobet's famous 1859 Torres, which would also become a decisive influence on the maturing "Hauser" style.