About the luthier

Otto Vowinkel was born and raised in the historic center of Amsterdam, in a family of tailors. His first guitar was built in 1984, inspired by the book “Classical Guitar Construction” by Irving Sloane. With only basic tools and an old pool table as a workbench, he began building guitars in the attic of his home. Lacking formal training, he improved by showing his early instruments to experienced guitarists, integrating their feedback into each new build.

In 1989, he began a long and influential collaboration with Dutch luthier Alex ‘Alejandro’ van der Horst (1959–2009). Together, they refined their shared vision of the ideal instrument: one with a flexible tone, fast response, and clarity of sound as the true driver of projection. Over the years, Otto Vowinkel has developed into a highly respected guitar maker, known worldwide for his traditionally built concert instruments characterized by clean aesthetics, exceptional balance, and playability.

About the guitar

This 2019 Otto Vowinkel Concert guitar represents the top tier of his production, a model designed for the needs of professional performers. It combines substantial projection with physical lightness, delivering outstanding response with minimal effort. Tonally, it offers evenness across all registers, refined sustain, and remarkably precise intonation, making it a highly expressive and controllable instrument under the hand.

The top is made of cedar, carefully selected for its richness and color depth, paired with Madagascar rosewood back and sides. The internal structure follows a traditional seven-fan bracing pattern that contributes to the instrument’s clarity and tonal separation. The result is a guitar that can deliver both warmth and brilliance, depending on the player’s input.

The French polish shellac finish adds a soft luster while preserving the instrument’s acoustic sensitivity. Unique aesthetic details include the rosette, featuring the triple-cross motif from the flag of Amsterdam, and the headstock, which is carved after the architectural facade of Vowinkel’s workshop in Amsterdam.

Condition

This guitar is in excellent condition, with only minimal signs of playing. The structure, finish, and setup are fully intact. It is equipped with Sloane tuning machines and comes in a Hiscox Pro II case.

Otto Vowinkel

Otto Vowinkel - 2019 - Concert