C-862, Achim-Peter Gropius (Germany)

Description

New Concert Classical Double Top Guitar

Finished March 2026

650mm scale with 52mm nut

German spruce on spruce

Nomex inner core “fan braced”

Indian rosewood back & sides

Double sides

Slightly elevated mahogany neck

African ebony fingerboard

Ebony bindings with maple purflings

Hand made rosette

Indian rosewood bridge

Alessi hand made machine heads with ebony knobs

Hand rubbed French polish finishing

Hiscox liteflite PRO-II case included

 

Guitars weight is 1.8 Kg / 4 lbs

Body length is 48 cm / 18.89 inches

Body depth is 10.3 cm / 4.055 inches

Upper bout is 28 cm  / 11 inches

Lower bout is 37 cm / 14.5 inches

 

Achim-Peter Gropius

Achim-Peter Gropius was born on February 25, 1967, in Berlin, where he began studying the guitar at the age of nine. After completing his secondary education, he chose to follow his passion for craftsmanship, pursuing training as a guitar maker rather than continuing formal performance studies.

From 1991 to 1994, he studied at the renowned Violin Making School in Mittenwald, earning his diploma in 1994. He then gained valuable experience in the workshop of luthier Max Strohmer in Nuremberg. Later that same year, he moved to Reutlingen, where he worked with a master violin maker specializing in the restoration of instruments from the violin family. During this time, he continued to refine and develop his own guitar designs.

In August 1996, Gropius established his own workshop in Reutlingen. Two years later, in February 1998, he successfully passed the examination to become a Master Luthier.

Today, Achim-Peter Gropius is internationally recognized for his meticulously handcrafted concert guitars. With over 25 years of experience, he seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques, creating instruments distinguished by exceptional tonal depth, projection, and precision.

His guitars often feature advanced double-top construction, carbon-reinforced necks, and carefully selected premium tonewoods. The result is instruments offering remarkable clarity, power, and responsiveness—qualities highly valued by concert performers across Europe, Asia, and the United States. His guitars can be heard on numerous professional recordings.

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In the Words of Achim-Peter Gropius

For me, one of the most essential aspects of my work is the significant amount of handcraft invested in each instrument. A truly handmade guitar possesses a character and visual presence that differs profoundly from one shaped predominantly by machines. This, I believe, explains much of the enduring fascination with historical instruments.

It is often the subtle irregularities—never to be mistaken for a lack of precision—that give these instruments their unique charm. These nearly imperceptible nuances enrich the visual and artistic quality, lending each piece an individuality that cannot be replicated. Handmade instruments also age with grace, developing a natural patina over time without ever appearing worn or diminished.

Perhaps even more important is the fact that craftsmanship cannot be replaced, even by the most advanced machinery—especially when it comes to achieving refined tonal balance and superior playability.

Equally fundamental is the careful selection of tonewoods. Great attention is devoted not only to choosing exceptional materials but also to their proper aging. Whenever possible, I prefer to source wood in its most raw form—sometimes even as whole logs—allowing me complete control over the cutting and preparation process.

While my approach remains deeply rooted in tradition, I do not hesitate to incorporate modern materials and construction methods when they offer genuine improvement. For example, the necks of my classical guitars are reinforced with carbon fiber rods, and I also build instruments using advanced double-top (sandwich) construction.”

We are proud to be the North American exclusive dealer for Achim-Peter Gropius guitars