Stradivarius: The Sabionari Guitar
The Sabionari Guitar was built in 1679 and is one of the five surviving guitars of builder Antonio Stradivari. It is also the only playable one in the world at this time. What blows me away about this is the fact that the wood he used must have been pristine compared to any other classical-type guitar. It is configured with five double strings, vs guitar which is 6 single strings, or sometimes the modern 12 string (6 doubled strings).
Stradivarius
During the 17th Century, Antonio Stradivari was an instrument builder. Making the most masterful violins, violas, celli, basses, and guitars. Their reputation lives up to the quality and sound of instruments they make. "The name "Stradivarius" has become a superlative often associated with excellence; to be called "the Stradivari" of any field is to be deemed the finest there is."
"A more modern theory attributes tree growth during a time of global cold temperatures during the Little Ice Age associated with unusually low solar activity of the Maunder Minimum, circa 1645 to 1750, during which cooler temperatures throughout Europe are believed to have caused stunted and slowed tree growth, resulting in unusually dense wood."
Example
Recordings
Like the video above there are only a select number of players who have had the opportunity to play this guitar. Similarly to Stradivarius violins, only the top of the skill are allowed to play them.