Joseph Christoph Fischer ~1920 - Joseph Christoph Fischer Contraguitar - Coat of arms guitar around 1920 - A master instrument of the Viennese tradition
This extraordinary contraguitar was made around 1920 by Joseph Christoph Fischer, a renowned zither player, plucked instrument maker, music teacher and composer from Munich. Fischer was an important figure in the German and Austrian music scene and shaped the sound of traditional folk and Schrammel music with his instruments.
The contraguitar, also known as the Schrammel guitar, was developed in Vienna in the middle of the 19th century and quickly became very popular. Masterful guitar makers such as Johann Georg Stauffer, Johann Gottfried Scherzer and Franz Angerer built such instruments, which are ideal for accompaniment and are still used today in various styles of music, from folk music to jazz.
This contraguitar was built in the style of the famous Viennese guitars and is shaped as a crest guitar - a construction method made popular by Stauffer and his students in particular. It features the characteristic Stauffer headstock with unique tuners and an adjustable neck, an innovation that allows precise adjustment of the string action.
The sound of this guitar is of outstanding quality - clear, powerful and with amazing tonal flexibility. It offers excellent response and impressive volume, while retaining a wide range of subtle timbres in all registers. Its masterful timbre makes it an ideal instrument for both accompaniment and solo performances.
- Top: Spruce
- Back & sides: maple
- Neck: Adjustable for optimal playability
- Machine heads: Viennese mechanics with fine precision
- Scale length 620 mm and nut width 46 mm
Despite its age of over 100 years, this guitar is in good condition, with a few professionally repaired cracks. It has been professionally serviced and is in excellent playing condition - stable, well adjusted and ready for use.
A rare and fascinating contraguitar that is a real gem for both collectors of historical instruments and active musicians.
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