In recent years the earliest surviving Stradivari guitar has been restored and even brought back into playing condition.
It’s the only one of the five existing guitars that is playable.
The restoration was carried out by the Sinier de Ridder workshop. They have done a marvellous job, stabilizing the body and replacing the worm-eaten 19th century neck.
I hope that one day I will be able to examine this marvellous instrument myself. For now I am very thankfull to the Sinier de Ridder workshop for doing a fine job and publishing their findings and photo’s.
For more info on the Sabionari guitar visit www.sabionari.com.
For more information on Stradivari’s guitars and working methods read my article in American Lutherie #122
The Dutch Luthier 
I don’t know much about 17th C guitars, but is this thing similar?? Its at the American Museum near Bath, England.
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That’s a 6-course guitar from the end of the 18th/early 19th century. Probably made by Juan Pages of Cadiz. He was one of the last makers of double course guitars and one of the first of single string guitars. 😀
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Wonderful playing, very clear and defined. THANK YOU
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