Brand: Gaetano Vinaccia
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Antique and Romantic, Guitars, SOLD
Gaetano Vinaccia was born into a Neapolitan family of instrument builders during 1758 and died around 1831. His work has been exceptionally influential, and were possibly the earliest examples of Romantic era guitars.
Around 1776, Gaetano and his brother Gennaro produced a six-string, single course guitar, which was immediately popular and whose design was studied by other builders. In particular, Antonio Torres Jurado took cues from the Vinaccia instruments while creating what is still the basis for modern Classical Guitars.
Here we’ re treated to a Gaetano Vinaccia guitar, dated to 1829 and listed as number 40, built in the Vinaccia shop in Naples. At the time, Italy was not a unified nation, with various states being under control of other neighboring empires. It was not until 1861 that Italy became a unified state under King Victor Emmanuel II.
Vinaccia instruments are rare outside of museums. The 190 year old example here was restored in Holland some time ago, with a number of changes to help modernize the guitar and make it playable. First, the fingerboard and possibly bridge have been replaced with Brazilian Rosewood, and fretted with modern Bead type fretwear – this is also the case at the bridge, with a piece of fret wire used as the saddle. The bridge is a pin design, which was common for instruments of this time.
The restoration also addressed a number of structural issues, with cracks glued and cleated.
This guitar is in overall good condition – especially considering it is approaching being two centuries old! – and because of the way the restoration was done, is quite playable.
A Gig Bag is included.
- Model: Guitar
- Year: 1829
- Finish Natural
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 40
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 21/08/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Gig Bag case
- Instrument Weight: 2.09lbs .95kg
- Scale Length: 23.68in 604mm
- Nut Width: 1.69in 43mm
