Gaetano II Guadagnini 1829 Early Classical Guitar Plan

Guitar by Gaetano II Guadagnini, Torino, 1829
Details & Restoration Report by Ian Watchorn

Condition on Arrival:
This guitar was previously restored in Italy by Pietro Gallinotti in 1957 and by myself in 1999 and 2005.
The instrument was essentially stable and playable but required treatment of failed glue joints and worm track filling on previous repairs, due for the most part to the effects of tropical humidity on animal glue.

From previous examination it was established that the current fretboard is not original and that the guitar was originally configured with fretboard abutting the belly.

The change of fretboard has retained use of bone frets, which may point to a change made by later generations of the Guadagnini family, ca. 1850. The current non-original bridge is a replacement from the 1999 restoration.


Approach to restoration:
It was necessary to remove the back and deal with the failed reinforcement from previous repairs. The primary aim of restoration was to maintain playability and stabilise previous repair work.


Work Undertaken:
Remove back and n.o. ebony purfling.
Remove all failed repairs
Reglue all humidity affected bars and liners
Align and reglue 8 cracks to the pearwood back & sides. Reinforce sides at repair points with pine studs and/or silk paper Replace back and fit new ebony purfling.
Replace non- original tuners with Peghed Planetary action tuners. Retouch and revive original finish on back & sides. Level non-original bone frets, reseat nut.
Restring with Pyramid gut strings as follows:


Pitch = a’: 430Hz Stringlength: 640mm
Current stringing
e’ 0.62mm gut
b’ 0.76mm gut
g 0.94mm gut
d 1414 Pyramid Wound
A 1426 Pyramid wound
E 1436 Pyramid wound

Condition on Completion:
The work undertaken has stabilised all previous repair work. All failed worm track filler is renewed and retouched, creating a harmonious finished surface on front, back and sides. The back has been replaced and new ebony purfling installed to match the whalebone original on the belly edge and soundhole. Due to difficulties with tuning stability, the non-original tuners have been replaced with PegHed Planetary action tuners.


Recommendations for care and use:
The instrument is currently stable and fully playable. Tonally there has been a big improvement with the renewal of the internal glue joints, weakened y exposure to high humidity. The guitar is fully playable. To maximise duration of this playability, humidity control in tropical environments is essential. The restoration work is designed for maximum duration at humidity levels between 35 and 70% RH.