2010 Richard Howell CD/IN

This 2010 Richard Howell classical guitar has a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, entirely handmade in Australia in the tradition of Ignacio Fleta.

Fleta Inspiration, Richard Howell's Own Style

Although Richard's guitars are clearly inspired by those of Ignacio Fleta, both in internal construction and in exterior detailing, it is evident that he has established his own style and characteristics.

Sound: Deep Resonance and Rich Overtones

It has great volume, like a Fleta, but a darker voice and a very deep resonance, and sounds almost cello-like, with very rich, textured overtones. We have often said that, due to this character, this is the best guitar in the world to play the Bach cello suites. It is also very easy and enjoyable to play, and sounds fantastic on the concert stage.

Simply among the best entirely handmade guitars we have had.

Richard Howell: From Surrey to Victoria, Australia

Richard Howell was born in Surrey, England, and grew up around music – his father was a musical director in London. He fell in love with the guitar as a boy and made his first guitar in 1966. After moving to Australia in 1972 he began making guitars seriously, starting with student models for Jason Waldron of the Adelaide Spanish Guitar Centre. He works alone, mainly with traditional hand tools and finishes, in a small workshop behind his house in Mornington, Victoria.

In the Tradition of Ignacio Fleta

We consider Richard Howell to be the best traditional guitar maker in Australia. He studied the work of Hauser and Hernández y Aguado, but above all of Ignacio Fleta, and his guitars are very inspired by Fleta – yet after years of comparing them to the original Fletas we've had, one can see that he has clearly established his own style and characteristics. Using almost no power tools, he produces one of the most beautiful finishes in the world: warm and lustrous, and very similar to Fleta's violin-style varnish.

Richard Howell and GSI

Richard was the very first luthier GSI took on for US representation when we opened our doors in 1983, so we have a longstanding fondness for his instruments.