Southwell Guitars

The Lacôte Guitar

(click photo to enlarge)

This guitar is based on a late example of Lacôte's work which was Madame Sydney Pratten's concert guitar. It has a spruce front, birds-eye maple back and sides (also available in flamed maple or rosewood), ebony veneered neck and a raised ebony fingerboard with 19 brass frets. This guitar has Jerome style tuning machines and a string length of 63cm.

(click photo to enlarge and to see the back and head details)

HISTORICAL NOTE

René Lacôte 1785 to 1855 was born in Mirecote, France; a noted centre for instrument making, and later moved to Paris where he established himself as one of the greatest luthiers of his time. His guitars were fine examples of the French style and have a wonderfully bright sound with a quick response, largely due to the transverse style of strutting the front. Lacôte made many experiments and innovations; he worked on ideas with, and made instruments for, players such as Aquado, Carulli, Ferranti and Sor.

For more information, contact
Gary Southwell

site created June 2004
Page last changed October 2007