Ignacio Fleta, 1954

This is a first for us in many ways. We have had the honor of representing Ignacio Fleta before, but this is our very first from the 1950s, a special transitionary period in Fleta's work. This guitar, built in 1954, is number 61, and it shows far more of the old Barcelona school in it than most Fletas of the era.

You can feel the deep influence of Enrique Garcia and Francisco Simplicio here, along with several other makers of that lineage. On this particular Fleta, those design details and flourishes that Garcia and Simplicio loved are everywhere. The purflings along the borders of the instrument are remarkably ornate, the rosette is beautiful, and even the tie block carries two small pieces of mother of pearl that look reminiscent of the great Simplicios and Garcias, and all the way back to Torres. It is really quite cool, and these are the kind of details that almost never show up on a Fleta.

Visually and historically, this is one of the most special early Fletas we have encountered, a guitar that captures the moment before Fleta's style became more standardized and internationally recognized.

You may be familiar with the sound we have all come to identify with Fleta, that very powerful, almost macho voice. This one takes a slight step back from that, in a really nice way. You can hear the transitionary period in it, the inspiration of Garcia and Simplicio moving toward what Fleta guitars would later become. There is a little more old world quality in the basses, the kind of sound we love in a great Simplicio.

Despite being more than 70 years old, this guitar has an absolutely electric first string, alive and singing where some old guitars can feel asleep. There is a real sparkle in the trebles and a wide color palette across the strings. The second string carries that same old world character and gives a beautiful vibrato on nylon. The third is lively and full of color. The basses sound like a Simplicio with perhaps a bit more power, with a warmth and a way the notes release that feels like it is coming from very deep in the ground. The fifth string has a lot of bite, that unmistakable Fleta quality in the bass, and the sixth delivers a huge punch, responding beautifully whether you play with the flesh of the thumb or with more nail.

The neck is very comfortable, on the medium side, and the guitar has been refretted, which makes it so much easier to play. The action is set up beautifully and the whole instrument simply invites you to play.

This is a spruce top supported by seven fan bracing. The back and sides are a beautiful set of Brazilian rosewood, carrying those same ornate patterns you see on the top running along the sides, with two center strips dividing the pieces. At the head you will find the classic Fleta shape fitted with the original Fustero tuners. A fun detail: their rollers were expected to remain white, but over time they have turned an orangish color, just as you see on the Hauser guitars of the day.

Specs

Number: 61

Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood

Construction: Traditional, seven fan bracing

Action: Set up low and comfortable

Condition: Excellent, no cracks, previously refretted

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

Excellent overall condition, especially for a guitar built in 1954. There is some wear here and there, including nail marks under the strings, as one would expect from an instrument that has been played and loved for so many years. Importantly, there are no cracks in the top, back, or sides. The frets have been replaced, leaving the guitar exceptionally easy to play while preserving its character.