Fraulini Silvio Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 2010, made in Madison, Wisconsin, natural varnish finish, Indian rosewood back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This unusual-looking guitar is an example of the newest design from Fraulini Guitars, the premier modern maker of flat tops inspired primarily by the New York-Italian luthiers of the early 20th century. This double-cutaway instrument, the "Silvio" has roots in a specific European design, as Fraulini's Todd Cambio explains: "A friend in Italy turned me onto Luigi Mozzani, a virtuoso guitar player who eventually began making guitars.
One of the shapes inspirational to Mozzani kept popping out: A double cutaway referred to as a "wappen", or shield guitar, developed in the early 1800's primarily by luthiers in Vienna and Munich. Originally wappen guitars were on the small side, around 12" at the lower bout; I wanted to go bigger. I pulled the waist in a little tighter and put a bit more curve in the cutaway. I wanted it to be easy and fun to play, so I opted for a 24.9" scale length. I also opted for an oval soundhole, partly to get a little more soundboard. I was very pleased with how it was turning out-pleased enough to make it a regular model, glad to have resuscitated a great design from a bygone era...and to name it after my great grandfather."
We think this is a lovely guitar-sweet sounding and very comfortable to play. This is an early production version, completely hand made like all Fraulini instruments. A neat example of the past meeting the present with happy results!
Overall length is 37 3/4 in. (95.9 cm.), 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 7/8 in. (632 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). Some very light playwear and one small scratch on the back; this guitar is unsold from the maker but has been played. Overall Excellent + Condition.
