Bernhard Kresse - 2025 - Panormo 1843 - 63 cm

About the luthier

Bernhard Kresse, based in Cologne, Germany, is internationally recognized for his expertise in building historically informed instruments as well as modern classical guitars. His deep knowledge of nineteenth-century Spanish and French traditions, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, has earned him a reputation as one of Europe’s leading luthiers for historically inspired guitars. He is especially admired for his faithful reconstructions of romantic-era instruments, which capture the authentic sound world of the early guitar repertoire while maintaining the structural reliability required by today’s performers.

About the guitar

This guitar, completed in 2025, is Bernhard Kresse’s interpretation of a Louis Panormo instrument from 1843. It features a spruce soundboard and Indian rosewood back and sides, finished with French polish. With a shorter 630 mm scale length, a 47 mm nut, and a remarkably light weight of only 1190 grams, it offers the playability and tonal character typical of romantic-era guitars. The elegant design is completed with Alessi tuners and refined craftsmanship in every detail. The tonal profile reflects the intimate and lyrical qualities associated with early nineteenth-century guitars. The sound is soft, warm, and slightly nasal, with a pronounced midrange that evokes the original Panormo character. Its balance and clarity make it ideally suited for repertoire of the classical and romantic periods, offering both expressive delicacy and historical authenticity. Despite its historical model, the instrument is entirely new, reliable, and built to the highest modern standards of precision.