| Ignacio Fleta was born
in 1897 and fabricated some of the world's most sought after concert classical
guitars until his death in 1977. Maestro Fleta started his
career as accomplished violin maker but under the influence and inspiration
of Andres Segovia began building classical guitars in the 1950's.
In a relatively short period of time Fleta established his name along with
contemporaries such as Bouchet, Hauser and Hernadez y Aguado.
Described by many as 'the Stradivarius
of the guitar', this Barcelona builder's instruments differed from
the Torres model of guitar making in several areas. As opposed to
the integrated neck-to-body construction of the Spanish tradition,
Fleta used the more violin-like dovetail neck joint on his instruments.
His guitars had a more robust build quality and a distinctly higher bridge/saddle
assembly that helped shape the unique Fleta sound. It was this sound
that attracted players such as John Williams, who recorded and toured
extensively with these finely crafted instruments.
California luthier and classical guitarist
Kenny Hill has recreated the design and sound Ignacio Fleta's guitars in
his Master Series ' Fleta ' guitar. "The design of Ignacio Fleta
guitars is unique. He came from a violin making tradition, and some of
his techniques clearly show that influence. Most notably he uses a dovetail
joint for the neck instead of the traditional Spanish "integral neck" design.
Also, the body is built heavily with several extra braces on the top and
back, large neck and heel blocks, and the neck angle and bridge are rather
high. Yet, for all of it's extra mass, this Fleta style guitar produces
exceptional power and a deep, rich sustain for a muscular, full-voiced,
concert sound."
The instrument we are featuring
today is a custom Fleta with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, Western
Red cedar top, ebony fingerboard and engraved Fusteroh tuners with
ebony buttons! I would definitely have to agree with Kenny.
This guitar is VERY muscular and full voiced!!!
Specifications
* 2" bone nut
* Spanish cedar neck
* Fustaroh tuners with ebony buttons
* 650 mm scale length
* dovetail neck joint
* 14 7/16" wide lower bout
* 3 7/8" deep at end block
* Western Red cedar top
* 9 cedar fan strut system with bridge pad
* interior shellac finish
* French polish applied finish
* Brazilian rosewood bridge
* bone saddle
* hardshell case
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