Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Finish(Top): Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides): Shellac
Tuning Machines: Fustero
String Height(1st): 2.8mm
String Height(6th): 3.8mm

Maker Information

Ignacio Fleta I (1897–1977)

Ignacio Fleta I founded his workshop in Barcelona, later collaborating closely with his two sons, Francisco (1925–200?) and Gabriel (1929–2013). The Fleta workshop quickly became one of the most revered names in 20th-century classical guitar making, a reputation that has remained steadfast to this day. Many of the greatest guitarists of the latter half of the 20th century either favored or continue to favor Fleta instruments.

The Fleta family originally worked in fine woodworking and furniture making, a craft that Ignacio grew up around. At the age of 13, he apprenticed in a Barcelona instrument workshop alongside his brothers. To further refine his skills, he studied stringed instruments such as cellos and violins in France under Philippe Le Duc. Upon returning to Barcelona, the Fleta brothers established a workshop producing a full range of stringed instruments, gaining considerable recognition before the shop dissolved in 1927.

Ignacio then founded his own workshop, earning acclaim for his violins, cellos, and other instruments. Around 1930, he began producing guitars in the Torres tradition. A pivotal moment came in 1955 when he heard Andrés Segovia perform. Deeply inspired, Fleta dedicated himself entirely to guitar making, creating instruments that departed radically from the traditional Torres style. His first guitar for Segovia, completed in 1957, immediately impressed the master, who performed on it publicly. This event marked the beginning of Fleta’s international renown, with subsequent champions including John Williams and Alberto Ponce, establishing Fleta guitars as some of the 20th century’s finest.

Initially, guitars were labeled simply Ignacio Fleta, but from No.359 (1965) onward, the label reads “e hijos”—reflecting the collaboration with his sons (though some guitars from 1964 already bear the label). Even after the deaths of Fleta I, Francisco, and Gabriel, the Ignacio Fleta e hijos label continues to be used, currently carried on by Fleta I’s grandson, Gabriel Fleta.

Instrument Information

Ignacio Fleta I – 1962, No.251

This 1962 Ignacio Fleta I guitar is a rare and extraordinary instrument, offering unmatched sound projection and auditorium-like presence. Its volume is not artificially amplified like modern guitars; instead, it reflects the inherent potential of the guitar’s resonant body. This revolutionary approach to acoustic design sets it apart from traditional Spanish guitars of the era.

The guitar produces an impressively clear and spacious tone, with remarkable reverberation and depth, free from any muddiness. It embodies all that the term romantic implies in musical expression: dense singing tone, lustrous timbre, and a nuanced palette of dynamic shading. The instrument’s high sound pressure encompasses delicate pianissimos as well as bold fortissimos, demonstrating Fleta’s exacting craftsmanship and musical sensibility. Each register—treble, midrange, and bass—retains its distinct identity while blending organically into a cohesive tonal balance. Its expressive power can create a chamber music-like sense of space, a hallmark of Fleta guitars.

Bracing layout: The soundboard features two harmonic bars above and below the soundhole, with the lower bars slightly angled from bass to treble. Nine fan braces cover the lower section, terminating on two V-shaped closing bars at the bottom, while a thin reinforcement plate extends under the bridge and across the upper bout. Additional reinforcement plates flank the soundhole and extend from the harmonic bars toward the neck, providing exceptional structural integrity. Unique features of this period include the angled lower harmonic bars and the passage of the central fan braces through small openings in the bars—design elements not repeated in later Fleta guitars. The resonance is set slightly above G.

The soundboard and sides have been recently refinished in French polish, with minor cracks, dents, and previous repairs carefully touch-up restored. Notable repairs include small patches along the soundboard and lower bout, as well as a few minor touch-ups on the back. The neck shows a very slight forward bow within standard limits. Frets 1–5 exhibit minimal wear but remain fully playable.

Playability: The neck is a thin, rounded D-shape typical of Fleta I, offering a compact, comfortable grip. The fingerboard features 20 frets on the treble side. String height: 1st – 2.8 mm / 6th – 3.8 mm (at 12th fret), with a saddle reserve of 0.5 mm. The tuning machines are from Fustero, likely original. The 3rd string peg is slightly bent but fully functional, with no effect on performance.

This guitar exemplifies the extraordinary expressive capability, tonal clarity, and structural sophistication that define Ignacio Fleta I’s instruments, making it a rare opportunity for collectors and performers alike.

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