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2005 Sonntag J16 Ballade

Stefan Sonntag

Luthier Stefan Sonntag makes his home in Augsburg, Germany. He began his training as guitar maker in 1986 at the Violin-making school in Mittenwald, Germany. There he studied the skills and principles of handmade guitar construction.

In 1989 he ended his course of studies, having passed his final examinations and went on to work for the Hofner stringed instrument manufacturing company in Bubenreuth, Germany. There he was able to obtain an insider's view of the guitar making industry.

In 1990 he went to the Strohmer Workshop, where special order guitars were made, as well as repair work and restorations, along with Limited-Edition series.

In 1993, after receiving his Master's Degree as best in my class, he set up his own workshop in Augsburg. Since then, his reputation has been spreading.

This 16 inch Ballade model, made especially for American Jazz great Mundell Lowe, is an archtop built of solid wood with simple decoration. The spruce top and this particularly nice maple back are hand carved, resulting in a lively and powerful sound, similar to his higher priced Standard model. The Ballade is supplied with a simple but tasteful tailpiece, the hardware is nickel-plated, the pickguard is of perloid-plastic.

Mundell Lowe resides in San Diego, California. He has been a friend over the years, and we have enjoyed his music throughout his career. His public beginnings were as the live in studio guitarist on the Today Show with Dave Garroway. He has done treasured studio, television and film work throughout the years, creating an orchestral style with his fingers and voicings that are pleasing and inventive. This man knows how to play Jazz! Mundell has one more instrument than he needs, so reluctantly handed this one over to us for sale. He says that if he played this one exclusively, with the feel it offers, he could stay in love with it.

Go to the Audio/Video section of this listing for two sample videos on this guitar. One is acoustically recorded--the other; plugged in. You will not pay a premium for its history. This is an affordable hand made guitar for anyone who loves lush sustain, beyond the bark of a typical rhythm archtop.

$6,000

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