Rene Lacote 1850

19th Century

Top Spruce
Back and Sides Flame Maple
Fingerboard Ebony
Width at nut 48 mm
Scale length 62.5 cm

A really lovely instrument, in superb condition, from Paris in 1850. Lacote was Fernando Sor's favourite maker and this is a great example; the year and style are the same as Madame Sydney Pratten's Lacote - her favourite instrument for concertizing. Incredibly this guitar had been in the possession of one family since new! Its condition, with just minimal restoration of a couple of cracks, is quite wonderful. Even these amazing Lacote machines work like new.

The sound is quite different to instruments from Spain or England of this period. Lacotes were not fan strutted and have more of a lute-like quality and clarity to them. A charming piece of history and a delight to play.