This newly built 2026 Gernot Wagner is, in our opinion, one of the finest Wagner guitars we have encountered. There is an exceptional maturity to its voice. The instrument responds effortlessly to the player, with remarkable sensitivity at both soft and powerful dynamics. Its projection is impressive, but what truly distinguishes this guitar is the quality of the sound behind that projection, rich, resonant, sweet, colorful and deeply musical.

It possesses the unmistakable strength of a Wagner double-top, yet the sound never feels merely powerful. There is warmth, liquidity and an almost three-dimensional quality to the tone. The bass has depth and authority, the trebles sing with clarity, and the entire instrument feels exceptionally well balanced across the fingerboard. For us, this is what makes a great Wagner so special: the technology disappears behind the music.

The significance of this particular instrument became even clearer when we had the opportunity to meet Grammy Award-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux. Jason has long been closely associated with Gernot Wagner's guitars and has performed on Wagner instruments for many years. His current biography also identifies a 2013 Wagner as one of his principal instruments.

When Jason played this 2026 guitar, his reaction was immediate. He loved the instrument and decided to acquire it, with the intention of making it his main concert instrument for his future performances. For a musician of Jason Vieaux's experience and musical sensitivity, that decision speaks volumes about the character of this guitar. A great instrument does not need to announce its quality. It simply makes the musician want to keep playing. The 2026 Gernot Wagner does exactly that. It represents decades of experience, experimentation and refinement from one of the most influential makers of the modern era, while remaining, above all, a deeply musical instrument.


Specifications:

• Year: 2026
• Bracing: Double top braces
• Top: Spruce with nomex middle-layer
• Back & Sides: Indian rosewood
• Scale Length: 650 mm
• Nut Width: 52 mm
• Finishing: French polish
• Condition: Brand new