Manouk Papazzian concert 1959

Another of the great master builders from NYC, Manouk Papazzian moved to his own facility in NY around 1956, where he began building his master level instruments. The records indicate that he only used the best of materials available to him at all times. He was most definitely an “old world” artisan, demanding the best of everything and of himself, whether he was building lutes, violins or classical guitars. 

This is a classical guitar built in his early New York years. Beautifully grained, old growth brazilian rosewood back and sides , selected german spruce top , mahagoni-neck with ebony fingerboard, brazilian rosewood bridge and headstock veneer and typical marketry inlays around the soundhole.

This guitar sounds very balanced and warm, and has opened up all over in nearly 70 years of intensive playing. Projection and sustain are  faboulos. There is one long reaired and stable crack on the top , from the soundhole to the buttom of the guitars. Have a look at the „cats eyes“ on the brazilian buttom of the guitar.