Ignacio Fleta, 1972

This 1972 Ignacio Fleta comes from the final years of Ignacio Fleta’s life, built just five years before his passing during a period when his guitars were already defining the sound of the modern Spanish concert instrument. Fleta’s powerful, expressive voice became famous through the recordings of John Williams and many other great players of the era, and instruments from this period remain among the most sought-after Spanish guitars ever built.

The sound of this guitar is exactly what one hopes for in a great Fleta. It delivers enormous depth and power in the basses, paired with singing trebles that project effortlessly and sustain seemingly forever. The entire instrument vibrates in the hands, creating that immersive feeling of resonance that makes these guitars so inspiring to play.

Visually, the cedar top is especially striking, lighter through the center and darker toward the edges. It is framed beautifully by Fleta’s iconic rosette with its subtle green tones and the unmistakable headstock carving inspired by Torres. The guitar presents in exceptional condition with a recent professional French polish refresh that allows the instrument to show beautifully while preserving its historic character.

Specs

Year: 1972
Maker: Ignacio Fleta e Hijos
Top: Western Red Cedar
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Neck: Spanish Cedar
Fingerboard: Ebony
Tuners: Original Fustero
Scale Length: 650 mm
Nut Width: 53 mm
String Spacing at Saddle: 43 mm

Sound

The sound is unmistakably Fleta. Massive, authoritative basses combine with singing trebles that seem to float effortlessly off the instrument. The entire guitar vibrates in the hands, through the neck, and across the body, creating that immersive sensation of total resonance that great Spanish guitars are known for. It is the kind of instrument where you truly feel supported everywhere when you play.

The basses are monumental, with the fourth and fifth strings producing deep, powerful fundamentals while the sixth string carries a remarkable humming quality that lingers long after the note is struck. This distinctive “hum” in the lowest register is a character often associated with the finest Spanish guitars of the twentieth century.

At the same time, this instrument offers impressive clarity. Unlike some guitars of the era that can sound overly dark or dense, this Fleta can brighten beautifully when pushed, maintaining definition and articulation across the entire range.

Individual notes in the upper register project effortlessly, particularly in the B–C♯–D region on the first string, where the guitar reveals a lyrical, vocal quality that makes melodic playing especially compelling.

Playability

The neck follows the classic Fleta profile with a slightly thicker shape and a pronounced D contour. The shoulders of the neck are clearly felt in the hand, creating a secure and supportive feel that many players appreciate.

Despite the fuller neck profile often associated with Fletas, this example feels balanced and comfortable, providing excellent control for expressive playing and vibrato.

The setup is excellent, with an action measuring approximately 4 mm on the sixth string and 3 mm on the first string, leaving room for further adjustment if desired. The guitar responds beautifully to a wide dynamic range and encourages a confident right-hand attack.

Strings

The guitar is currently strung with D’Addario XTC-45 normal tension nylon strings.

https://ddar.io/guitar-collection

While carbon G and B strings are often used on modern guitars, this instrument responds so naturally with traditional nylon that no experimentation felt necessary. The third string in particular produces a wonderfully warm and full sound that contributes to the lush character of the instrument.

It is also worth remembering that carbon strings did not exist during Fleta’s time, making the all-nylon setup feel very much in keeping with the guitar’s original voice.

Impressions

Great Fletas have a remarkable ability to make the player feel completely supported by the instrument. The guitar vibrates everywhere under the arm, through the neck, and across the entire body, creating a deeply immersive playing experience.

This 1972 example captures that magic beautifully. It combines the massive power and depth that made Fleta famous with a clarity and responsiveness that keeps every note alive.

A truly inspiring Spanish concert guitar from one of the most legendary makers of the twentieth century.

If you're interested in purchasing, please write to me at evan@guitarcollection.com

This guitar is in exceptional condition.

The instrument recently received a professional French polish restoration, allowing it to present remarkably clean while preserving the character of the original materials and construction.

Aside from a single carefully filled string ding, the guitar shows beautifully. There are no cracks and no crack repairs, making this an unusually well-preserved example for an instrument of this age.

The original Fustero tuners remain installed and function well, adding a charming historical detail that connects the guitar directly to the era in which it was built.