2024 Otto Vowinkel "2a Double Top" CD/IN

This 2024 Otto Vowinkel “2a Double Top” is a classical guitar with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Spain under Otto Vowinkel’s supervision; James Meade plays Ponce on Vowinkel, G.V. Rubio and Röthel guitars in the video above.

A Double Top with a Traditional Voice

This guitar is designed by Otto Vowinkel of Amsterdam and made in Spain under his supervision. It is a “double-top”, which Otto has been refining for quite some time to achieve the benefits of a double top – added power and improved responsiveness – while continuing to produce a traditional, warm and lyrical quality of tone.

Bracing and Playability

It is physically light, very penetrating and easy to play. Lightly braced with 5 fans, the soundboard moves with maximal efficiency, which makes playability a breeze, especially for the right hand. A well-built instrument that can be used in any concert setting.

In the Video Above

James Meade plays Manuel Ponce’s Preludes VII, I and XIV on G.V. Rubio, Röthel and Vowinkel guitars.

Note: Stock photos may be used for this model listing. The exact guitar pictured may no longer be available, and may differ slightly from current inventory. Please contact us with any questions.

Otto Vowinkel: Classical Guitar Maker in Amsterdam

Otto Vowinkel grew up in a family of tailors in the old center of Amsterdam. He came to the guitar as a player, and in 1984 – with no teacher, a few basic tools and Irving Sloane’s book Classical Guitar Construction – he built his first guitar in the attic of his house. He learned by showing each new guitar to every guitarist he could find and building the next one with their comments in mind.

Traditional Spanish Building and French Polish

In 1989 Otto met his future wife, the Dutch guitarist Esther Steenbergen, and the Andalusia-based Dutch maker Alex van der Horst (“Alejandro”, 1959–2009), with whom he worked regularly and shared his ideas about the ideal guitar: a flexible tone, a quick response, and quality of sound as the carrier of volume. Otto builds in the traditional way and is a specialist in French polish, on which he now gives lectures and workshops. His rosettes carry the colors of the flag of Amsterdam.

Concert Guitars and Student Models

Besides his concert classical guitars, Otto makes flamenco guitars, quart guitars and fifth-bass (baritone) guitars. He has also designed student models that are handmade in small workshops in Spain under his supervision. You can read more in our article on Otto Vowinkel.