I studied guitar with Tom Burmanje at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and with Gordon Crosskey at the RNCM in Manchester. Masterclasses with Leo Brouwer and David Russell. I graduated as a musicologist in 2013, with a thesis on the composer Pauline Duchambge (1776-1858).
Currently I am working on a PhD about guitar culture in the 1700s (at the Uuniversity of Southampton, UK). I have published articles on guitar history in Early Music and TVNM.
I have been playing 19th century guitars for about 20 years now, after spotting & buying a lovely Mirecourt guitar at a local auction. I have been performing on gut strings, without nails, right from the start. Among other instruments, I own a ca 1830 Franz Brunner (Vienna), a ca 1855 D & A Roudhloff (London), and a Enrique Recio (Cadiz) from 1862.
As a performer, I mostly accompany singers, such as Christopher Kale, tenor, Sigurd van Lommel, altus and Valeria Mignaco, soprano. I teach guitar, lute and ukulele.
I'm a new member and I'm not sure I know the protocol here.
I have acquired an old guitar from Prague built by Jaroslav Houslar Dvorak from 1888. All I can find in researching him is that he was a violin maker and I have found his violins on the internet selling from 3,500 dollars to 4,500 dollars. I have never seen anything about building guitars. The label inside this guitar is the exact same that is used in his violins. The guitar has Brazilian rosewood back and sides and spruce or pine in the top. It is built in the Torres style (larger body than a parlor guitar).
Anyone have any knowledge of this builder? Is this guitar rare? I will try and post some photos.
Hi. I would prefer a British restorer as I have some other early guitars that need work doing to them. No one seems to be advertising for work on early guitars, possibly because they prefer building guitars. I would try restoration myself, but know my limitations.
Thank you Jelma for the welcome, and thank you for asking me to provide more info about my vihuela.
I've actually only seen it once--it's still at the home of a relative who, having learned that I play (barely!) the guitar, is giving it to me. What led to my finding this site is that I Googled to try to find info as to whether the vihuela would be put at risk by my having it at my home, which though in a more temperate region than my relative's, doesn't have air conditioning (that is, my home doesn't), and (my home) has only on/off central heating (no thermostat), unlike my relative's home (which has air conditioning and thermostat-based heating).
I had a brief but relatively good look at the vihuela at my relative's. It looks, well, like historical-type vihuelas I've now seen at youtube and at this site. I'll get more info from my relative, as to this vihuela's origin.
Hello Jelma! Many thanks for your welcome. I hope that this site have many information about the universe of guitar and will help to explore history of guitar in brazil!
Dear Jelma, This large guitar was built in 1993 by myself and colleagues in a deserted 12th century Friary in Bristol which I was given the use of. The guitar is based on the 1680 Antonio Stradivari guitar on view in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
This scaled-up copy weighs ¾ ton and is 10 meters from the tip of the pegbox to end pin. One of its most distinguishing features is its responsiveness and wide spectrum of harmonics from the lower two strings, even though the fundamental pitch is sub-sonic on those strings.
It made its debut in 1995 on a live BBC Radio 3 broadcast 'Sound Waves' accompanying jazz saxophonist, Andy Sheppard. This instrument was unfortunately lost at Bristol's Temple Meads Old Station in 2001 before I had a chance to make a case for it. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing it in Italy and also Germany, but its current whereabouts are unknown. If you or anybody you know should come across this instrument I would be very grateful if you would let me know. For further information please see the 1995 Guinness Book of Records.
Dear Jelma, yes quite nice and rare although probably never really playable (frets and string length completely off, difficult neck angle) - made by Ignace Joseph Senft, end of 18thc. This is probably one of only two still extant guitars made by Senft, who was a well known maker of "orgues de clavecins grands et petite et de forte-piano" around 1800. It is still in its (original ?) cardboard case and apart from minor damages due to metal strings in pretty good structural and complete condition. The body is made of wonderful cuban mahagony veneered on the inside with maple. I took off and repaired the broken bridge but have not yet decided how to deal with the neck/string problems.
Dank voor de hartelijke begroeting op dit forum en voor het aanbieden van je hulp!
Het kan best zijn dat ik nog eens een beroep op je doe ;-).
Veel informatie over Karagantcheff staat inmiddels op mijn website www.karagantcheff.nl. Ik ben nu bezig met het interpreteren van zijn gitaarmuziek en dit komt binnenkort dan ook op de site te staan.
I never really played any of my instruments except the one that I specifically made for myself. I play left handed. I loaned it out to a local classical player for a while but he didn't take very good care of it so I took it back. I should have sold it but I like to take it out and look at it once in a while. I actually made four Voboam copies and sold three.
I wonder if you know my old friend Gunther Mark. He makes early instruments near Nuremberg, but he lived in Amsterdam at one time. He watched me make that guitar in Portland so many years ago.
I am restoring a guitar made 1845-1851 by Henry Anton Schatz, in Boston, USA.
I am looking for a visual and/or dimensions for his origianl design. This is NOT the typical small Spanish style guitar with 3 fans, but a larger guitar of higher quality with "X" braced top.
Thanks, Jelma - I was recently invited by my multi-string friend Stanley Alexandrowicz, but I should have signed up long ago! I'm not sure what I can offer your group but a fascinated, appreciative audience. I'm (predominantly) a steel-string fingerstyle player, but dabble when I can a bit with everything in the Miner Museum.
Thank you Jelma for welcoming me to your website. I have recently aquired my first early 19th century guitar after collecting several vintage Spanish guitars. I am eager to learn more about my latest addition and antique guitars in general. I cannot offer any knowledge on your site but look forward to gaining some knowledge. I will post some photos on the forum and look forward to receiving some information on my guitar. Thank again. Pat
Ton Bogaard
Moet het in het engels of could it be in Dutch?
I am trying to get in touch with Antonio Espinoza from Jerez de la Frontera. Do you have an adress?
TON
Nov 24, 2012
George Miller
I'm a new member and I'm not sure I know the protocol here.
I have acquired an old guitar from Prague built by Jaroslav Houslar Dvorak from 1888. All I can find in researching him is that he was a violin maker and I have found his violins on the internet selling from 3,500 dollars to 4,500 dollars. I have never seen anything about building guitars. The label inside this guitar is the exact same that is used in his violins. The guitar has Brazilian rosewood back and sides and spruce or pine in the top. It is built in the Torres style (larger body than a parlor guitar).
Anyone have any knowledge of this builder? Is this guitar rare? I will try and post some photos.
George Miller
Sweden
Feb 5, 2013
Martin Hurttig
good evening Jelma,
it was a great plesure to meet you in Ueberlingen. That realy was fun!!
big greetings from Leipzig
martin
Apr 21, 2013
Alfonso Marin
Thank you Jelma! Are you the admin?
May 17, 2013
nick harrison
Hi. I would prefer a British restorer as I have some other early guitars that need work doing to them. No one seems to be advertising for work on early guitars, possibly because they prefer building guitars. I would try restoration myself, but know my limitations.
Jul 12, 2013
Christine Gabrielle
Bedankt!:-)
cg
Aug 4, 2013
John Strain
Thank you Jelma; I am looking forward to participating on the site.
Best wishes,
John
Aug 4, 2013
Cesar Arias
Thank you Jelma for your welcome, I'm very happy to join you.
Aug 13, 2013
Neil Howard
Thank you Jelma for the welcome, and thank you for asking me to provide more info about my vihuela.
I've actually only seen it once--it's still at the home of a relative who, having learned that I play (barely!) the guitar, is giving it to me. What led to my finding this site is that I Googled to try to find info as to whether the vihuela would be put at risk by my having it at my home, which though in a more temperate region than my relative's, doesn't have air conditioning (that is, my home doesn't), and (my home) has only on/off central heating (no thermostat), unlike my relative's home (which has air conditioning and thermostat-based heating).
I had a brief but relatively good look at the vihuela at my relative's. It looks, well, like historical-type vihuelas I've now seen at youtube and at this site. I'll get more info from my relative, as to this vihuela's origin.
Thanks again!
Aug 14, 2013
Tony Nugent
Hi Jelma, just love the Sor Andante Largo Op. 5...the 1834 Romantic guitar sounds wonderful too. I look forward to hearing more. Thanks
Aug 30, 2013
Edgardo de Dios
Many thanks, Jelma for the welcome. Hope to explore the site and learn a lot. More power.
Sep 25, 2013
Robert Mandel
Thank you! Robert
Nov 6, 2013
Marcos Pablo Dalmacio
Thank you Jelma!!!
Nov 14, 2013
Eldert de Jonge
Well, Jelma, dat is nog eens een hartelijk welkom! Dank voor dit bericht
Dec 7, 2013
WOLFGANG PRAXMARER
Many thanks, Jelma, for your welcome !
Im am very interested in the discussions and comunication with you and other members.
Best wishes,
Wolfgang
Dec 10, 2013
Ricardo Henrique Serrão
Hello Jelma! Many thanks for your welcome. I hope that this site have many information about the universe of guitar and will help to explore history of guitar in brazil!
Dec 27, 2013
Christopher Challen
Thanks for welcoming me Jelma. I left West Dean in 1987 so I missed you by 5 years! Yes, it was a very spectacular place to live and work.
Kind regards
Chris (Challen)
Dec 27, 2013
Christian Schimanski
Christian
Dec 28, 2013
Christopher Challen
Dear Jelma, This large guitar was built in 1993 by myself and colleagues in a deserted 12th century Friary in Bristol which I was given the use of. The guitar is based on the 1680 Antonio Stradivari guitar on view in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
This scaled-up copy weighs ¾ ton and is 10 meters from the tip of the pegbox to end pin. One of its most distinguishing features is its responsiveness and wide spectrum of harmonics from the lower two strings, even though the fundamental pitch is sub-sonic on those strings.
It made its debut in 1995 on a live BBC Radio 3 broadcast 'Sound Waves' accompanying jazz saxophonist, Andy Sheppard. This instrument was unfortunately lost at Bristol's Temple Meads Old Station in 2001 before I had a chance to make a case for it. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing it in Italy and also Germany, but its current whereabouts are unknown. If you or anybody you know should come across this instrument I would be very grateful if you would let me know. For further information please see the 1995 Guinness Book of Records.
Regards, Chris.
Dec 29, 2013
Elly van Munster
Bedankt! Wat een interessante dingen op deze site!
Dec 30, 2013
Myer Rosen
Thank you. Jelma. The community looks very interesting.
Jan 11, 2014
Franz Quendler
Dear Jelma, yes quite nice and rare although probably never really playable (frets and string length completely off, difficult neck angle) - made by Ignace Joseph Senft, end of 18thc. This is probably one of only two still extant guitars made by Senft, who was a well known maker of "orgues de clavecins grands et petite et de forte-piano" around 1800. It is still in its (original ?) cardboard case and apart from minor damages due to metal strings in pretty good structural and complete condition. The body is made of wonderful cuban mahagony veneered on the inside with maple. I took off and repaired the broken bridge but have not yet decided how to deal with the neck/string problems.
best regards
Franz Quendler
Jan 18, 2014
Tom Monaghan
"Hi there, it's something i found deep in cyberspace a few weeks ago. I wish it were on an instrument i owned, though it would need a drink or two."
Feb 4, 2014
Tomas Fiore
Hi Jelma, Thank you very much! Regards from Argentina!!
Feb 22, 2014
Gregory Moberg
thank you for the warm welcome
Feb 23, 2014
Davide B.
Thank you!
Feb 23, 2014
Ralph Maier
Mar 9, 2014
Patrick Broekema
Hoi Jelma,
Dank voor de hartelijke begroeting op dit forum en voor het aanbieden van je hulp!
Het kan best zijn dat ik nog eens een beroep op je doe ;-).
Veel informatie over Karagantcheff staat inmiddels op mijn website www.karagantcheff.nl. Ik ben nu bezig met het interpreteren van zijn gitaarmuziek en dit komt binnenkort dan ook op de site te staan.
Hartelijke groet,
Patrick
Mar 20, 2014
Eric Meyer
I never really played any of my instruments except the one that I specifically made for myself. I play left handed. I loaned it out to a local classical player for a while but he didn't take very good care of it so I took it back. I should have sold it but I like to take it out and look at it once in a while. I actually made four Voboam copies and sold three.
I wonder if you know my old friend Gunther Mark. He makes early instruments near Nuremberg, but he lived in Amsterdam at one time. He watched me make that guitar in Portland so many years ago.
Apr 23, 2014
Gesine Lübben
Thank you Jelma! I look forward to discovering your site!
May 1, 2014
Marc S. Silber
I am restoring a guitar made 1845-1851 by Henry Anton Schatz, in Boston, USA.
I am looking for a visual and/or dimensions for his origianl design. This is NOT the typical small Spanish style guitar with 3 fans, but a larger guitar of higher quality with "X" braced top.
any help will be appreciated.
thank you, Marc Silber
MARC SILBER MUSIC 510-325-0720
BERKELEY, CA. www.marcsilbermusic.com
Jul 9, 2014
Dan
Thank you Jelma. Nice of you to send me a greeting.
Dan
Aug 23, 2014
Kenneth A Hartdegen
Why thanks a lot Jelma! I am still trying to get used to what you all do on this great site.
Regards,
Ken
Dec 16, 2014
Toon Lauwers
Dank u Jelma! Mijn, beste wensen voor 2015!
Jan 2, 2015
Yuri Liman
Thank you very much for greetings, Jelma!
Best wishes
Yuri
Apr 9, 2015
Sabino Reybal
Thank you Jelma, I'm sure I learn so much in this wonderfull page.
Apr 23, 2015
Bill Eisele
Thank you, Jelma! I'm looking forward to exploring the world of early guitar through the EG&V Network.
Jun 4, 2015
Dr Jack Giles
Jul 6, 2015
Mario Torta
Thank you Jelma, Great site!
Kind regards,
Mario
Jul 24, 2015
Gregg Miner
Thanks, Jelma - I was recently invited by my multi-string friend Stanley Alexandrowicz, but I should have signed up long ago! I'm not sure what I can offer your group but a fascinated, appreciative audience. I'm (predominantly) a steel-string fingerstyle player, but dabble when I can a bit with everything in the Miner Museum.
Sep 13, 2015
Toby Chapman
Many thanks.Toby.
Sep 14, 2015
Timothy Burris
Hoi Jelma,
Arcas, Pujol, Manjon, Llobet, Pujol, Tarrega, o.a.
T
Nov 2, 2015
Marten Falk
Thank you very much!
Nov 11, 2015
Alan Clark
Thank you!
Regards, Alan
Jan 14, 2016
Ken Hartdegen
Thanks very much Jelma! Nice to hear from you; still getting it all set up....
Jun 13, 2016
Guzman Ramos
Thank you Jelma!
Aug 11, 2016
Leon de Kroes
Hoi Jelma, leuk om je hier te zien!. Hartelijke groet, Leon
Jan 5, 2017
Patricia Butler
Thank you Jelma for welcoming me to your website. I have recently aquired my first early 19th century guitar after collecting several vintage Spanish guitars. I am eager to learn more about my latest addition and antique guitars in general. I cannot offer any knowledge on your site but look forward to gaining some knowledge. I will post some photos on the forum and look forward to receiving some information on my guitar. Thank again. Pat
Aug 11, 2017
Stephen Pickett
yes it was made by Alexander last year
Oct 23, 2017
Emma Rush
Hi Jelma! I’m looking for solo repertoire.
Aug 15, 2018