A Recreation of “La Leona” — One of Antonio de Torres’s Most Celebrated Guitars
Few historical guitars carry a name as evocative as “La Leona.” Built by Antonio de Torres in 1856, the original FE-04 has become one of the most celebrated instruments associated with the development of the modern classical guitar.
The Wolfgang Jellinghaus FE-04 “La Leona” pays tribute to this extraordinary instrument through an elegant and remarkably lightweight recreation built around the original concept of a 650mm scale, German “Moon Cut” Spruce soundboard and Cypress back and sides.
At only 1.1 kg / 2.4251 lbs, the guitar feels remarkably light in the hands. Its traditional dimensions, carefully executed construction and comfortable playability make this much more than an instrument to admire—it is a historical concept intended to be experienced as a musical instrument.
Its visual presentation is equally compelling. A wood rosette, Kingwood appointments and beautifully executed hand-rubbed French polish with an aged relic appearance give the guitar the atmosphere of an instrument that has travelled through generations.
For the guitarist or collector who has long dreamed of experiencing the world of Antonio de Torres and the legendary La Leona, this Jellinghaus recreation offers a fascinating way to bring that history into the present.
A Must Try!
Description
Specifications
- Maker: Wolfgang Jellinghaus
- Model: Antonio de Torres Replica Modelo FE-04 “La Leona”
- Scale Length: 650mm
- Nut Width: 52mm
- Top: German Spruce (Moon Cut)
- Back & Sides: Cypress
- Neck: Cedar
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Rosette: Wood rosette
- Bridge: Kingwood
- Headstock Veneer: Kingwood
- Nut: Bone
- Machine Heads: Der Jung 1:18 ratio tuning machines
- Finish: Hand rubbed French polish finishing with relic look
- Case: Made to size Suede/Velvet hard shell case included
- Total Length: 96 cm / 37.7953 inches
- Body Length: 45.72 cm / 18 inches
- Upper Bout: 26 cm / 10.2362 inches
- Lower Bout: 34 cm / 13.3858 inches
- Body Depth: 9 cm / 3.54331 inches
- Weight: 1.1kg / 2.4251 lbs
- Special Order Options: Also available in 630mm, 640mm or 650mm scale lengths and with Rosewood back & sides
The Guitar — La Leona, 1856
The original FE-04 “La Leona” was built by Antonio de Torres in 1856 and has become one of the most famous surviving guitars from his career.
Its importance reaches beyond its age or rarity. La Leona belongs to the formative period in which Torres was developing the proportions and construction principles that would profoundly influence the future of the Spanish guitar. The instrument has consequently become an important reference point in discussions surrounding the emergence of the modern classical guitar.
The original was built with Cypress back and sides and a 650mm scale, and Torres is understood to have retained the instrument for his own use.
The Jellinghaus FE-04 returns to those defining elements with its German Spruce soundboard, Cypress body and 650mm scale, while its extraordinarily light 1.1 kg construction reinforces the delicacy of the historical concept.
The carefully aged French-polish finish adds another dimension to the experience. Rather than presenting La Leona as a pristine modern guitar, the relic treatment gives this interpretation a visual connection to the nineteenth-century instrument that inspired it.
For players who prefer different dimensions or materials, the model can also be special ordered in 630mm, 640mm or 650mm scale lengths, with Rosewood back and sides also available.
Antonio de Torres & The Legacy of La Leona
Antonio de Torres Jurado (1817–1892) occupies an extraordinary place in the history of the classical guitar. His work helped establish many of the proportions and construction principles that would become fundamental to the Spanish guitar as we know it today.
Among his surviving instruments, La Leona holds a particularly distinguished place.
Built in 1856, relatively early in Torres’s career, it represents an important stage in the development of the ideas for which he would later become celebrated. Its combination of light construction, refined proportions and carefully considered architecture helped make La Leona an enduring reference in the study of Torres and the evolution of the classical guitar.
Its continuing fame is a reminder that La Leona is more than simply an old guitar—it represents an important chapter in the transformation of the instrument itself.
Wolfgang Jellinghaus & The Milestone Luthier Centre
The Milestone Luthier Centre was founded in 2013 by Wolfgang Jellinghaus and Michael Zhang with the goal of revisiting approximately 230 years of classical guitar-making history through instruments inspired by influential master builders whose work established important new standards in construction and sound.
Rather than allowing historically significant designs to exist only in museums, private collections and books, the project seeks to bring their ideas back into the hands of contemporary guitarists.
Research and development takes place in Dortmund, Germany, while the guitar-making workshop is located in Guangzhou, China.
Within this collection, the FE-04 La Leona is particularly significant. It reaches back to one of the instruments most closely associated with the formative period of Torres’s work and transforms that historical inspiration into a guitar intended to be played today.
Proud Official Canadian Dealer & Worldwide Availability
We are proud to be the official Canadian dealer for Wolfgang Jellinghaus guitars and to offer these fascinating historical recreations to guitarists and collectors.
The FE-04 La Leona is available in its traditional 650mm configuration, while 630mm and 640mm scale lengths may also be special ordered. A version with Rosewood back and sides is also available by special order.
For current availability or special orders, please contact Grand Guitar Salon.
Worldwide shipping is available.
Photography
Please Note: The photographs shown are representative images of the Wolfgang Jellinghaus FE-04 “La Leona” model. The exact guitar pictured is no longer available.
As each guitar is individually produced using natural tonewoods and receives its own hand-applied aged French-polish treatment, every instrument possesses its own grain patterns, colour variations and subtle characteristics in the relic finish.
The guitar offered may therefore differ slightly from the one pictured while being built to the specifications and standards of the model.
Additional information
| Weight | 10 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 114 × 51 × 21 cm |
