Thirty-five Louis Panormo guitars have been restored in my workshop. A thirty-sixth, a 1933, has begun.
Louis Panormo, 1784-1862, had a workshop in Bloomsbury, London. Many guitars were made, it may even have been a small factory. Today, his guitars are much sought after and often restored with the intention being used. They have a wonderful tone and are a delight to play.
Some earlier Panormos have a small label which reads "Panormo Fecit". They have cross bracing under the soundboard and are smaller than later examples. Two guitars I have restored are of this type, an 1827 and an 1831. Other guitars have a larger label which reads "Louis Panormo, The only maker of Guitars in the Spanish Style". These guitars are larger and have some type of fan bracing.
The address is variously given as 40 or 46 High Street, Bloomsbury. This street is, I believe, now known as St. Giles High Street, and the address is very near to Centerpoint. The 1849 guitars have the labels altered by hand to read 31 High Street Bloomsbury.
James Westbrook, of the Brighton based Guitar Museum, has done a PhD on the Panormo guitar and the November 2013 issue of Early Music has an article by James about this work. His thesis has been published as a book.
PANORMO RESTORATIONS BY YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
Current Louis Panormo Restoration
An 1833, is now under way.
