Instrument | Ignacio Fleta I |
Category | Imported Classical Guitars 〔Vintage〕 |
Number/Model | No.124 |
Scale length | 660mm |
Country | Spain |
Year | 1958Year |
Top | Solid Spruce |
Side&Back | Solid Indian Rosewood |
Condition※ | 7 |
List price | INQUIRE |
Price (tax included) | Please Inquire |
option | with Hardcase |
Click to enlarge the photos below
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish:Shellac
Tuning Machine:Fustero
String height:1string 2.8mm/6string 4.0mm
[Profile]
The collaboration between Ignacio Fleta I (1897-1977) and his two sons, Francisco and Gabriel, is still one of the most popular guitars of the second half of the 20th century and beyond, not to mention the names of many famous players who use it.
The Fleta family has always been involved in woodworking, including furniture making, and Ignacio was familiar with this from an early age, becoming an apprentice at the age of 13 with his brothers at a musical instrument workshop in Barcelona. He learned to make cellos and other violins at Philippe Le Duc's string workshop in France. Later, the Fleta brothers jointly established a workshop in Barcelona, which was highly regarded as a brand for making all stringed instruments, including guitars, but in 1927, the workshop was closed and Ignacio established his own workshop. Ignacio's cellos, violins, and other stringed instruments were very well received, and his reputation in this field grew as well. At the same time, he began making Torres-type guitars around 1930, but in 1955, he was so impressed by the virtuoso Segovia's playing that he switched to making guitars exclusively. In 1957, he made his first guitar with a completely different conception from the Torres style and presented it to Segovia. Segovia was so pleased with the sound that he used it in his own concerts, and Fleta's guitars quickly gained worldwide fame.
The rich volume, dynamism, and unique, sweet tone that could not be heard on guitars up to that time created a sound that was truly unique to this brand, and it was used by many great players after Segovia, including John Williams and Alberto Ponce. It became one of the most famous instruments of the 20th century.
The first pieces were shipped under the Ignacio Fleta label, and from No. 359, produced in 1965, 'e hijos' was printed on the label (actually 'e hijos' can be seen on pieces produced in 1964). Francisco and Gabriel both passed away in the 2000s, but the 'Ignacio Fleta e hijos' label continued to be used, with Gabriel Fleta, grandson of Fleta I, now taking over the production of the label.
[Description]
This is Ignacio Fleta I, 1958, No. 124. The unique acoustics, high functionality, appearance, and the close balance of all of these features make this a wonderful piece that is still a masterpiece among masterpieces today. The history of this brand shows that from the mid-1960s, the brand moved into collaboration with his sons to increase productivity, and its image quickly spread around the world through use by many famous players, and the instruments also changed structurally and acoustically as if in response. This 1958 instrument, which predates these changes (it was made the year after the 1957 dedication to Segovia), is a strong expression of Fleta I's musical artistry and is a high level of achievement.
The sound image is always elegant, with a wide range of expression, from charming delicacy to heroic robustness. The instrument's functionality in staccato, slurs, and crescendos, as well as its natural response, are also excellent. The richness of the sound volume, which is a characteristic of the brand, is of course a given, but the sound with plenty of emotion is truly the sole domain of the Freta I. The fragrant sound is wonderful. This is a piece that gives the impression of unlimited potential as a musical instrument, and is worthy of being called a masterpiece.
There are a total of five crack repairs on the sound board and a total of four crack repairs on the back.