2026 Wolfgang Jellinghaus “La Leona FE 04 645" SP/CY

This 2026 Wolfgang Jellinghaus "La Leona FE 04" is a spruce and cypress guitar, a replica of Antonio de Torres' famous 1856 "La Leona", and available in the USA exclusively at GSI.

Torres' 1856 "La Leona"

Wolfgang Jellinghaus' exploration of the work of Antonio de Torres has led him to build a selection of high-quality, but affordable, models based on original Torres instruments of different sizes and eras. This particular guitar is based on one of Torres' most famous instruments – "La Leona" from 1856, numbered FE 04.

Period Details

Attention has been paid to many of the details found on the original, including a three-piece cypress back, a simple rosette of concentric rings, and fitted period-style tuning machines, replicas in themselves. For practical considerations, there are only two places where Jellinghaus departs from the original: his decision to use a standard bridge with saddle, and to leave out a tornavoz in the soundhole. Otherwise, the guitar has the look and feel of the original, including an "antiqued" look in the finish meant to represent an aged, played-in guitar.

Sound and Playability

Don't be fooled by its smaller size and lightweight build – once you pluck the first note, it has a huge sound, very full and robust, with great lyrical charm in the trebles and fat basses, rich in overtones across the entire register. It is startlingly easy to play, and the comfortable neck shape and fast response make it a true player's guitar. Hand-built in Jellinghaus' small facility in China, these are small-production, concert-level instruments made with select and beautiful materials, and entirely French polished by hand. Overall another very charming replica from this fine workshop. At this price point these are a great value for the serious student or concert player on a limited budget.

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.

A Guitar Maker's Son from Dortmund

Wolfgang Jellinghaus (1951–2024) was born in Dortmund, Germany. His father, Walter Jellinghaus, was himself a guitar maker and naturally introduced the craft to Wolfgang at a young age. In 1978, Wolfgang began managing his family's retail music shop, Musik Jellinghaus GmbH, and in 1983 he created Martinez Guitars, designing their first line of guitars.

Replicas of Torres, Lacote, Hauser and Ramírez

In 2013, he set up an independent workshop in China, building guitars under the name "Milestones of Music": a small, traditional boutique workshop that specialized in making high-quality guitars in the style of such great historical makers as Lacote, Antonio de Torres, Hauser and Ramírez, among others. He later developed a new line of instruments under his own name, and with Edmund Blöchinger he refined many of his replicas and established the La Cañada line.

Exclusive to GSI in the USA

GSI is proud to be the exclusive U.S. dealer for Wolfgang Jellinghaus guitars, one of the most popular lines we've ever carried. Since Wolfgang's passing in 2024, the successors of his business have carried on the work he established (read our tribute).