1998 Bernhard Kresse "Panormo" SP/CSAR

This 1998 Bernhard Kresse "Panormo" is a spruce and CSA rosewood reproduction of a Louis Panormo guitar, made in Cologne (Köln), Germany – an early Romantic-style classical guitar whose sale benefits music education through the GSI Foundation.

This guitar was generously donated to our non-profit charitable organization, the GSI Foundation. Guitar sales through the GSI Foundation raise money to directly benefit music education in public schools. Feel free to contact us for more information.

A Bernhard Kresse Reproduction of a Louis Panormo Guitar

This beautiful guitar was built in 1998 by German luthier Bernhard Kresse as a reproduction of an instrument by Louis Panormo, one of the most celebrated guitar makers working in London during the first half of the 19th century. Panormo was particularly well known for his guitars built in the Spanish style, which incorporated elements of the Spanish guitar-making tradition at a time when many of his European contemporaries were pursuing quite different designs. His instruments represent an important chapter in the evolution of the modern classical guitar, bridging the world of the early Romantic guitar and the developments that would later be realized in the work of Antonio de Torres.

Compact Body, Open Headstock and Period Details

Bernhard's reproduction captures the elegance and refinement of the original Panormo design, with its compact body, beautifully proportioned curves and distinctive open headstock. The instrument features a spruce soundboard paired with striking CSA rosewood back and sides, all finished in traditional French polish. Particularly charming details include the delicate concentric-ring rosette, the elegant mustache-style bridge with mother-of-pearl ornamentation, and the beautifully engraved tuning machines, which complement the instrument's historical appearance. The guitar is also remarkably lightweight, contributing to the delicate and intimate feel characteristic of guitars from this period.

Transverse Bracing and a Shorter Scale

Of particular interest is the soundboard construction, which employs two transverse braces rather than the fan-bracing patterns associated with the later Spanish classical guitar (see the bracing photo in the gallery). This historically inspired approach, together with the smaller body and shorter scale, reflects Bernhard's dedication to recreating the distinctive character of the early 19th-century guitar.

Sound and Playability for Early Romantic Repertoire

With its more compact body size and dimensions, this instrument is very easy in the hands and a delight to play. Sound-wise it also captures that beautiful and charming "period" vintage sound, which will enhance performances of early Romantic repertoire (including the music of Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani, Ferdinando Carulli and their contemporaries) thanks to its authentic period-style voice.

Its elegant craftsmanship, historical character and excellent condition make it a particularly attractive example of Bernhard's work, equally appealing to the performer interested in historically informed interpretation and the collector of fine guitars.

Bernhard Kresse: Historical Guitars from Cologne

Bernhard Kresse is a German guitar maker who lives and works in his hometown of Cologne (Köln). Largely self-taught, he left college to devote himself to guitar making, and in his early years he built conventional classical guitars. Playing early-music repertoire drew him to the instruments of the 19th century, and what began as curiosity gradually became serious research – and eventually the heart of his work.

Reproductions, Restorations and Early Romantic Guitars

Bernhard studies surviving originals in European museum collections, along with period illustrations and written sources, and builds reproductions after the great makers of the early Romantic guitar, such as Louis Panormo and Johann Georg Stauffer – instruments he sees as interpretations of the originals rather than exact copies. He also builds a modern concert guitar that draws on features of these historical instruments. Alongside his new guitars, he restores 19th-century guitars, and over some 35 years he has kept detailed measurements and construction notes on the instruments that have passed through his workshop.