The Cost of Hausers through the years?

[Aaron Green]

In regards to the question of what Segovia paid for his Hauser, I would find it hard to believe he paid anything at all.

[Wayne S]

quixilver wrote;

The similar case happened to John Williams and Smallman as well as the other mutualism between professional players and luthiers. I know it sounds unfair but there are many of those believers (I am probably one of them) who think that does not matter how good is the replica, a Hauser (I, II, III or even IV) is the real Hauser. The others may sound better or whatever but still they are not a Hauser

I happened to play the very first Greg Smallman that John Willaims got from Greg way back in the 80s, a good Guitarist and acquaintance of mine had a lend of this Guitar for a few weeks before Willams purchased it and I think it was priced around 3k to 4k at the time. After Williams had it for a year or so Smallman's prices became unaffordable to most Aussie players. So I have never even contemplated buying a Smallman as I can't justify the price.

Wayne S.

[Neptune]

This is why I am trying to get to the root of what a luthier would make on a guitar before striking gold with the likes of Segovia, Williams or Bream.
If Hauser I was charging what today would be 5400Euro for his last guitar in 1952, perhaps he charged half of that in say the 1930's. In that case it
would be quite affordable. This too was before a time when Brazilian Rosewood would add an extra grand or two to the total price. If anything this sort of notion about inflation and changing of costs through mixing with superstars must be an indication that every luthier starts somewhere. Many luthiers do reach the level of quality of "guitar of an epoch" and may never be heard by many. Some such as Hauser do, and most of those guitars belong to private collectors who never play these in public. Either way, I believe it is possible to own a guitar within a given price range, from moderately expensive to super expensive and have the same quality instrument. And! of course, this too depends on who is also plucking those strings;) Who knows when the next "fiver hauser" might be stumbled upon by a lucky lad!

[Neptune]

The current factory price for a Hauser III, Segovia model with East Indian Rosewood is 10,700 Euros. A Hauser II was sold at the last Christies auction for $37,500 (fees included). A Hauser I was sold at the same auction for $152,500.

So, if you order direct from Hermann that is his price? When i looked on other sites who are selling his brand new guitars, they are up to $30,000 USD.
Why isn't everyone ordering direct from the factory? $15,000 seems much more affordable. What kind of down payment does he require?

[Alexandru Marian]

Bacsidoan mentioned the wait is 4-5 years and no down payment. You pay 30k to a dealer so you don't have to wait for so long.

[Julian]

There are many many many excellent guitars probably even as good as or better than the Hausers at much much much less price.

We buy a guitar with the sound we like, not a name. John Williams bought Smallman for the sound he liked and Smallman was an unknown luthier then.

That's why I commissioned my guitars from lesser-known luthiers such as Bert Kwakkel, Oskar Graf and Fritz Ober (but the folks became well-known these days whose guitars are getting pricey too, but still manageable).

Oskar Graf, a German luthier living in Ontario Canada for instance is probably the least known of the other two luthiers mentioned earier, but his guitar (craftmanship and materials) reflects the true perfection with the tone at par with others. I am so attached with my Graf even though I have another four fine guitars.

So again if I ever want to commission a guitar, I certainly would go for a ' second tier' fine luthier instead of buying a guitar with forever wait-list, exorbitant price, and marketing gimmick.

To start, there are more than handful fine luthiers in this forum to choose from and I am sure their guitars are as good as the Hausers and alike, or probably better.

Rgds,

Julian

[quixilver]

There are many many many excellent guitars probably even as good as or better than the Hausers at much much much less price.

I have no doubt on it, Julian... In fact, people are getting way smarter, tools are getting better and more precise, information and other knowledge resources are readily more available compared to the past. Nowadays, the bar is set higher for luthier's standard to keep up with the market requirements.

So again if I ever want to commission a guitar, I certainly would go for a ' second tier' fine luthier instead of buying a guitar with forever wait-list, exorbitant price, and marketing gimmick.

The essence of brand-image which happens on almost every products is very normal, say it Louboutin, Chanel, Prada and whatsoever. I hope I can tell my girlfriend exactly the same statement when she wants to buy those branded shoes or bags...

To start, there are more than handful fine luthiers in this forum to choose from and I am sure their guitars are as good as the Hausers and alike, or probably better.

Indeed, that's why I like this forum ... and I am patiently waiting my guitar from one of them

[Neptune]

It would seem if there is no down payment necessary then if you paid $3000 every year in the wait period, then it would be quite easy to make the investment to own a Hauser III. Personally, I would get one from Kathrin! In that case it might be less expensive by a few thousand. It's tempting.
Surely they must ask for a certain amount once they start to actually build the guitar after a few years.

[Neptune]

Turns out the lowest costing Kathrin guitar right now is 10,600 Euro, direct from the Hausers. No downpayment at all whatsoever either. I guess they just stay in contact with you every year during the waiting period. Seems like a fair deal.

[hyz]

The current factory price for a Hauser III, Segovia model with East Indian Rosewood is 10,700 Euros. A Hauser II was sold at the last Christies auction for $37,500 (fees included). A Hauser I was sold at the same auction for $152,500.

Are you sure the Euro 10,700 is correct? that is pretty good deal despite I have had unpleasant with a Hauser III several years ago.
I would not mind to place a booking at this price. How long is the wait? do they really take in order from buyer directly?
hyz

Why don't you write him? Hermann will answer you in English. The email address is posted at his website. The waiting period is 4-5 years. You don't even need to leave a deposit.

Thank you... just wrote to Hauser. My bank account is going to set back by another Euro 10,700 in 4-5 years time.
hyz

[Neptune]

What model did you order? !!!

[hyz]

What model did you order? !!!

go for a safe bet... the Segovia model, Spruce with Rio + French Polish

hyz

[bacsidoan]

What model did you order? !!!

go for a safe bet... the Segovia model, Spruce with Rio + French Polish

hyz

That is a safe bet for resale value. For a sweet tone that will warm your heart, I'd recommend the Nouvelle Edition model with Haselfichte/Vogelaugenahorn

[David_Norton]

Out of curiousity, I contacted Hermann Hauser III last week, to find out what the current "Hauser catalog" is. Models, woods, pricing, and so forth. Here is the reply I received today from Kathrin Hauser:

**********************************
Dear Mr. Norton,

Thank you very much for your inquiry, and we are pleased to offer you the following terms:

1 piece classical guitar "Segovia model"
65,-- cm (64,8 cm) measurement,
Indian rosewood, spruce top (or cedar top),
Nitro polish
13.300 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece classical guitar "Segovia model"
65,-- cm (64,8 cm) measurement,
Rio-rosewood, spruce top (or cedar top),
Nitro polish
13.800 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece dream model/Fana model
(Fana model has a different bracing on the top)
65,-- cm measurement, basic from a Segovia model
Rio-rosewood, spruce or cedar top,
Nitro polish
13.800 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)
This model in Indian rosewood is also possible.
13.300 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece special edition
We make it in different measurements, models and woods.
14.200 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece special model for the 30 years professional jubilee
birds-eye-maple guitar with hazel spruce top
13.400 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece 1931 model
65,-- cm (64,8 cm) measurement
Rio-rosewood, spruce top (or cedar top),
Nitro polish
14.180 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece 1937 limited edition
65,-- cm (64,8 cm) measurement
Rio-rosewood, spruce top (or cedar top),
Nitro polish
15.500 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)
This model in Indian rosewood is also possible.
15.000 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece 1940 model
65,-- cm (64,8 cm) measurement
Rio-rosewood, spruce top (or cedar top),
Nitro polish
16.100 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)
This model in Indian rosewood is also possible.
15.600 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

1 piece Nouvelle model (only 15 pieces)
65,-- cm (64,8 cm) measurement
maple, spruce top (or cedar top),
French polish
14.500 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

French polish (shellac) only for top
370 EUR more (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

French polish (shellac) for the whole body
950 EUR more (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

For real Brazilian rosewood you have to charge more and this is depending on the quality of the wood.

Outside of Europe the prices are without European tax/German tax.

We have a case maker from Germany. The cases are handmade wood cases with a fine inside. The handmade wood case costs around 350,00 EUR (plus 19 % tax in Europe)

All prices from workshop. It can be that we have from time to time a little price rise.
The cost for Air-freight is nearly 250,00 EUR for oversea.

Our standard is the "Segovia model". We make other models too, with other
measurements like:

- Solo model (63,-- cm)
- Llobet model (64,5 cm)
- Bream model (65,-- cm)
- Fana model 65,-- cm and 65,5 cm)
- Concert model a (65,5 cm) and
- Concert model b (66,-- cm)

The delivery time is three till five years.

Thank you once again for your inquiry, and we would be delighted to receive an order from you.

Your are welcome in our house to test several guitars and we hope to see you here in Reisbach.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely

Kathrin Hauser

[Robert England]

Did I read correctly in a previous post that Kathrin has made 17 guitars so far, and she is charging $20,000 each aleady? That's a valuable name!
Robert