The Stauffer Guitar

(click to enlarge photo)

This is the Luigi Legnani model, named after the famous guitarist who helped develop it. It has a spruce front and maple back and sides. Two interesting features which make this guitar unique are the adjustable neck with a 'flying fingerboard' and the six a side tuning machines which are enclosed in the head. This guitar has a string length of 61cm, with a scale of 22 frets. Some surviving guitars of this type have a longer string length of 64 cm. This is also available.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Johann Georg Stauffer (1778-1853) worked in Vienna and was one of the finest guitar makers of the 19th century, as well as being a noted violin and cello maker. He also invented a new instrument called the Arpeggione, a kind of fretted cello with 6 bowed strings in guitar tuning.

However, it is for his guitars that Stauffer is best remembered. He made many refinements and innovations through his experiments and acoustical tests, as well as through his close collaboration with leading players, notably Legnani, whose name is given to Stauffer's ultimate model.

The Viennese style of making is similar to the French using a transverse strut system with its characteristic bright quick responding sound. Stauffer trained other notable guitar makers such as Schertzer and C F Martin. He made instruments for guitarists such as Legnani, Mertz, Regondi and Schubert.

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