Gropp Artist Model Concert Classical Guitar - Cocobolo and Cedar Serial 855
The Artist model featured here was sold in July 2007.
The buyer said : "very well balanced tone...great volume...the build and finish is of exceptionally high quality...great value for the money".
Gropp guitars are played by professionals - both concert performers and teachers - world-wide. In the UK however they are as yet known only to a well-travelled few who have heard them on the European festival circuit over the years.
The Gropp family has a long tradition of instrument making and a stock of wood going back 80 years and more. The "Artist" model is hand-built and signed by Armin Gropp. It has a sound described as clear and luminous with good separation and balance. The instruments have the unmistakable Gropp headstock: it is hand carved with an unique "open" design and joined to the rest of the neck with a characteristic dovetail. The ebony fingerboard is extended to the 20th fret (c3). The two-part saddle is of special Gropp construction and gives a decided improvement to intonation throughout the entire range. The fingerboard is slightly arched to facilitate clean and comfortable playing. The action is set for a typical concert instrument and yet the instrument sits very easily under the left hand.
Artist model (serial number 855) has a cocobolo back, mahogany sides and a cedar soundboard. The woods used are aged 25 years and more. The age of the woods gives the instrument a mature radiance. It is a naturally handsome guitar and this is combined with understated but fine styling. The warm qualities of the old woods are beautifully finished in french polish/shellac. A beautiful fine marquetry inlay is used for the bindings, to decorate the back and also for the rosette.
As for attention to detail - just see how the screw heads on the tuning machines line up vertically and with each other! Then just think how this mentality approaches guitar design and building of the highest order.
"The bass has an almost cello like quality..."
Read more of what Stephen Yates had to say about this instrument .
| Luthier | Armin Gropp |
| Model | Concert Guitar, Artist Model |
| Year of construction | November 2005 |
| Serial number | 855 |
| Back | Solid Cocobolo, over 30 yrs old |
| Sides/ribs | Solid Mahogany |
| Soundboard | Solid Cedar |
| Soundboard grade | 1st quality, 25 years old |
| Binding / purfling | Marquetry inlay on back and bindings |
| Rosette | Marquetry |
| Finish | French polish |
| Fingerboard wood | Ebony |
| Fingerboard | Slightly arched |
| Bridge saddle construction | Special Gropp construction to improve intonation |
| Bridge wood | Brasilian Rosewood |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Neck to body join | Spanish style |
| Head stock | Carved and joined to neck in the Gropp style of German dovetail. |
| Head wood | Mahogany |
| Head veneer | Cocobolo with Maple |
| Tuners | "Rubner" of Germany (Modell Gropp) with Ebony knobs |
| Position markers | Discreet makers at frets 5 and 7 |
| Scale length | 650mm |
| Number of frets | 20 |
| Neck width at nut | 52.5mm |
| Neck width at 12th fret | 62.5mm |
| Body widths (upper bout / waist / lower bout) | 27.3cms / 23.7cms / 36.3cms |
| Body depth | Varies (arched back) |
| Case | Hard hand-made case included |
| Strings maker / type | Savarez / |
The Gropps produce their Artist models to order in a range of materials and to various specifications.
- Oval or round sound-hole and body pattern, chosen by the luthiers to achieve the best possible sound with the tone-woods selected;
- Standard tone woods: Indian Rosewood or Wengé;
- Special tone woods: Honduras Rosewood, Cocobolo, Macassar Ebony;
- Scale lengths between 580mm and 660 mm with body sizes adjusted proportionately; the smaller-sized instruments have a full sound with good projection;
- Spruce or cedar soundboard;
- Colours ranging from a light/natural- to a dark-brown depending on woods used.
- Left- or right-handed.
Please call for prices and availability of Artist and other Gropp models.
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