Manouk Papazian Classical (1965)
Vintage
Handpicked from a single batch of a dozen some 58 years ago, this feather-light, one-owner classical has all the airy, dry resonance we crave in a vintage classical.
Why We Love This
Fifty five years ago, a leading professor at New England Conservatory brought his classical guitar student on a guitar-buying expedition to the shop of Manouk Papazian in New York City. The luthier displayed a batch of mahogany-backed guitars, built as a single run of more affordable options for the aspiring classical student. This guitar was the pick of the litter that day, and has remained with its owner, lovingly maintained for all the intervening decades between then and now.A very lightweight build, the Papazian plays very easily, intonates well, and, most importantly, has an engagingly warm, bass-rich, clear, resonant tone. We rarely encounter older mahogany classical guitars built to this level of quality. It is reminiscent in response to an excellent, vintage Martin 000-18 steel string.
This instrument comes to us in very good condition with no cracks, no significant wear, and with the original '60s hardshell case.
| Top | Spruce |
| Back & Sides | Mahogany |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Bridge | Rosewood |
| Nut & Saddle | Bone |
| Nut width | 52mm |
| Scale Length 650mm | |
| Build Year | 1965 |
| Case | Hardshell |
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.