The Romantic guitar is the guitar of the Romantic period of classical music (c.1815-1910). It is the immediate precursor of the modern classical guitar, and was the first significant period of classical guitar repertoire. By this time guitars were standardised as six-string instruments (compared to, for example, the Baroque guitar with nine or ten strings paired to make five courses).
The earliest extant six string guitar was built in 1779 by Gaetano Vinaccia (1759 - after 1831) [1][2] in Naples, Italy. The Vinaccia family of luthiers is known for developing the mandolin. This guitar has been examined and does not show tell-tale signs of modifications from a double-course guitar. [3] Authenticity of guitars before the 1790's is often in question. This also corresponds to when Moretti's 6-string method appeared, in 1792.
