Thirty-one Louis Panormo guitars have been restored in my workshop. A thirty-second 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 will be published as a book.
PANORMO RESTORATIONS BY YEAR OF MANUFACTURE
Current Louis Panormo Restoration
A lovely 1838 Louis Panormo is in the work shop. It is in very good condition despite the scratches and blemishes in the varnish. This is the fourth 1838 that has been in the workshop.
Panormo Information
Giulio Tampalini plays Fernando Sor on an 1849 Panormo (not 1860 as stated in the video),
which is the first 1849 restoration linked above.
Two Guitarists playing 19th century music on Panormos.
Technical drawing of an c. 1845 Panormo in the Edinburgh University Collection of Historical Musical Instruments. The plan number is 2014. The website is never easy to use and a phone call may be necessary.
How Martin Guitars of the 19th century were influenced by the guitars of Louis Panormo.
There are some factual errors in this article but the photos of Martin and Panormo guitars are interesting.