Mario Gropp - 2018 No. 596 "La Onda"
Mario Gropp - 2018 No. 596 "La Onda"
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Mario Gropp has been active as a professional master guitar maker since 1983. His comprehensive background in classical guitar performance provides him with a deep understanding of the practical and ergonomic demands placed on the instrument, enabling him to address the specific needs of guitarists with precision. This dual perspective informs both the playability of his guitars and the realisation of individual customer requirements.
Since 1997, Gropp has focused intensively on the structural and tonal development of the top level concert guitars produced in the workshop. His work has gained international recognition, with leading guitarists valuing the tonal quality and reliability of his instruments. In addition to models with standard scale lengths, he has devoted significant research to the development of high performance concert guitars with shorter scales, addressing the highest artistic demands without compromise in sound.
In 2022, the Musical Instrument Museum in Markneukirchen honoured the workshop’s centenary with the special exhibition “100 Jahre Kurt Gropp.” Portraits of the Gropp workshop and its work have appeared in international publications and broadcasts, including Classical Guitar magazine, Korean television KBS, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, Concertino, and Orfeo.
About the guitar
This concert guitar was built in 2018 and represents Mario Gropp’s mature approach to contemporary concert instrument design. The combination of a cedar top with Madagascar rosewood back and sides supports a tonal profile that is rich, stable, and well balanced across the registers.
The sound is characterised by a strong fundamental presence and a broad dynamic range. The bass register is full and supportive without becoming diffuse, while the trebles remain clear and controlled, retaining definition even under greater dynamic pressure. The midrange integrates seamlessly, contributing to an even and coherent overall voice.
The response is predictable and stable, offering the player a high degree of control in both articulation and dynamic shaping. The guitar maintains clarity in complex textures and supports sustained phrasing, making it well suited to demanding concert repertoire and extended performance contexts.
Condition
The guitar is in excellent condition. There are no cracks, damages, or structural issues, and no visible marks or wear worth noting.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.