1963 Manouk Papazian

• Top: High-grade European Spruce

• Back and Sides: Master-grade Brazilian Rosewood.

• Finish: Lacquer finish. Worry-free!

• Scale: 650mm scale / 52mm nut

• Price: $6,800

The Luthier

Born in Turkey, Manouk Papazian immigrated to New York City, where he established himself as one of the premier mid-century American luthiers. Operating during the golden era of the post-war classical guitar boom, Papazian was highly respected for his uncompromising attention to wood selection and traditional construction techniques. While many New York builders of the era leaned toward the heavier, braced designs popular in mid-century Spain, Papazian retained an old-world reverence for clarity, balance, and historical acoustic design. His instruments represent an undervalued gem of American lutherie renaissance.

The Sound

Sonically, this 1963 masterpiece pays an accurate homage to one of the greatest of all -- Antonio de Torres. It possesses a deeply moving, old-world charm that is fundamentally distinct from modern, heavily-built guitars.

• The Voice: It bears an incredible similarity to the authentic Torres original I had the privilege of playing back during my time at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. It shares that exact same ethereal, deeply resonant, and "woody" core that defines the 19th-century Spanish archetype.

• The Basses: Warm, deep, and deeply traditional. Classy yet robust support to the texture of the music.

• The Trebles: Singing and incredibly sweet. They have a brilliant, vintage bloom that carries an immense amount of lyricism and character.

Condition and Playability

For an instrument crafted in 1963, this guitar feels wonderfully broken-in and remains exceptionally playable. The 650mm scale and 52mm nut provide a completely standard, highly intuitive layout for the left hand. It is a highly responsive instrument that reacts instantly to changes in right-hand's touch.

Note on Condition: The spruce top features two minor hairline cracks that have been glued and cleated. Crack near the fret board glued as well. The entire guitar is well protected by its lacquer finish. Outstanding condition for its vintage.

Final Thoughts

Classical guitar collectors like to call this guitar as "crazily undervalued", which I completely agree with. This guitar represents an incredibly close experience to the authentic Torres, but at a fraction of Torres's price. It's a piece of Spanish guitar history, and American luthiery history.