7 course Lute by Manouk Papazian

Master luthier Manouk Papazian is known for his classical guitars. He also made lutes, and this is one of his finest examples. Bearclaw spruce top with a flamed maple back and neck. The fingerboard is ebony with inlaid metal frets. Made in 1971. Comes with original case. Manouk Papazian was a mid-20th-century American luthier based in New York, best known for his hand-built classical guitars, lutes, and early plucked instruments. Active primarily from the 1950s through the 1970s, Papazian built instruments in small numbers, emphasizing solid tonewoods, traditional construction methods, and careful handwork. His classical guitars featured spruce tops with rosewood or mahogany back and sides, French polish finishes, and distinctive mosaic rosettes. It seems he produced less than 100 lutes. Papazian guitars earned a reputation for warm, balanced tone and strong projection. While not produced in large enough numbers to become widely known outside specialist circles, Papazian’s instruments are respected among players and collectors for their musicality and craftsmanship.