1990 Paul Fischer "Virtuoso" SP/CSAR

One of Britain’s most respected builders, Paul Fischer has been making guitars in his own workshop since 1975. Prior to that, he studied first with harpsichord maker Robert Goble, and later built guitars in the famed David Rubio workshop in Oxfordshire, producing Rubio guitars with his initials "PF" stamped on the inside of the guitar, a practice well known from the Jose Ramirez shop prior to 1971. This is a great example of Fischer's "Virtuoso" model which is a more traditionally built, David Rubio-esque style of build, in contrast to his more modern "Taut" model for which he is also well-known. Materials are top quality including a gorgeous set of colorful CSA rosewood for the back and sides, with generous amounts of snakewood, used in the binding, foot wedge, head veneer, back center strip and even in the tuning machine buttons (made by Rodgers). Playability is very smooth, with a very punchy responsiveness, resulting in great ease of right hand playing. The guitar has a plump, warm sound, with a very clear core to each note, and has great balance all the way from the lowest bass note to the highest treble. A tap plate has been added to the top to protect the finish from golpes or just regular scratches - otherwise, condition is excellent with no cracks or repairs, only some very minor playing wear in the finish. These guitars have been played by numerous concert artists over the years including the Assads, Nicolo Hall, John Mills, Paulo Bellinati and Eduardo Fernandez among others. Perhaps the most recorded artist on Fischer is Jason Vieaux who recorded extensively on Fischer for many of his albums. Overall a great example from this very fine maker at his best.