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1826 Louis Panormo Romantic Period Parlor Guitar - $7,500 (Oshkosh)
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Louis Panormo background: Louis Panormo (1784–1862) was one of the most important English luthiers of the 19th century. He is one of the luthiers who lead the way of the Spanish-style guitar in London at the time. As he evolved his techniques and designs, he started using fan bracing, slotted headstock designs, open headstocks with machine tuners, etc.
Comments about this guitar: This nearly 200 year-old guitar is an absolute gem. It not only is extremely special because of its rarity and age, but is a wonderful instrument to play. It is very well constructed and it can be played without any concern of durability, intonation, or performance.
When you pick up this guitar, you will be struck by its playability, tone, projection and overall vibe. Many rare and collectible guitars of this age are not really playable, but this one is. It has wonderful action, excellent-playing frets, and is easy on the hands.
The body features a solid spruce top and Brazilian rosewood sides as well as a book-matched Brazilian rosewood back. The body has fan bracing inside and the interior is mostly painted, as is relatively common with other guitars by Panormo.
The neck and headstock are joined with a shoulder-less V-joint, and again, common to Panormo's guitars.
More details and condition: This guitar is in very good condition with only minor, professionally executed repairs.
Top: Solid spruce with beautiful aged patina and tight grain. Repaired cracks and appears to have the original finish.
Binding & Purfling: the binding on the top side is made with a violin-style purfling (Panormo was also a violin maker). The sides have binding as well, which have minor repairs in various places (see pictures).
Back & Sides: Striking book-matched rosewood on back with matching sides - with original finish. There is a minor crack repair done, which appears quite old. There are small crack repairs on either side of the neck heel on the top bout/rosewood sides, which are difficult to see in the pictures.
Neck & Fingerboard: Straight and stable, excellent intonation. With internal inspection, you can see the history of a heel-block repair.
Tuners: The original tuners are included in the case (two worm gears/buttons are missing, restorable). It is currently fitted with 20th-century machines. The inside liner area of the headstock, where the rollers are seated, has a thin piece of wood added to accommodate the replaced tuners. This is a reversible addition if the original tuners are ever added back on.
Bridge & Rosette: Original with Panormo’s signature inlaid motif. The bridge pins are not original.
Label: Original, dated 1826, with clear “26 High Street, Bloomsbury” address.
Strap button: part of the strap button on the lower bout is missing.
Neck action:
1st Fret Low E: approximately 0.4mm
1st Fret High E: approximately 0.3mm
6th Fret Low E: 1.95mm
6th Fret High E: 1.35mm
12th Fret Low E: 3.25mm
12th Fret High E: 2.5mm
More about the original case: The original case accompanies this guitar. The guitar fits snuggly and perfectly into its shaped, felt-lined, interior. It shows signs of wear and bears several stamps, stickers and labels from its travels. Two of the three working hinges are replaced, and the lock is missing the key.