Soli – Helmut Hanika

Soli er det navn Helmut Hanika ( f. 25.maj 1932) brugte, da han først startede som selvstændig guitarbygger , som 21-årig. Han er, som de fleste af de kendte tyske guitarbyggere, fra Schönbach, Egerland. Efter krigen slog familien sig ned i Bubenreuth området. Helmut kom i lære hos sin bedstefar Anton Mayer, og grundlagde Soli, så snart han blev myndig. Han ( med op til fire medarbejdere) byggede guitarer under mærket Soli, men leverede også til andre ,-  især Hopf, men også Otto Gläsel, Willi Hödl og andre, som satte deres egne labels i instrumenterne. I 1966 erhvervede han sig sin mestertitel og byggede derefter fortrinsvis fine klassiske guitar under sit eget navn. Hanika guitars fremstiller idag meget fine eksclusive klassiske guitarer under ledelse af Helmuts søn Armin. Jeg har haft den store fornøjelse at skrive med familien gennem Helmuts svigerdatter Marion Hanika. Det var en dejlig oplevelse at få forbindelse med den person , der har bygget nogle af mine gamle guitarer for omkring halvtreds år siden.

Soli is the name Helmut Hanika used when he first started out on his one only 21 years old. He was from Schönbach like many other good makers. After the war his Family settled in Bubenreuth area and Helmut learnt from his grandfather Anton Mayer. As soon as he was old enough he started his own business under the brand Soli. He also delivered to other brands especially Hopf, but also Otto Gläsel, Alosa, Willi Hödl and others WHO put their own labels in the instruments. He took his master in 1966 and from then on he concentrated on classical guitars under his own name. Today Hanika produces fine classical guitars and the business is run by Helmuts son Armin. I have had the great pleassure to write  withg the Family through Helmuts daughter in law Marion Hanika. It was a good experience to correspond with the person WHO had made some of my guitars long time ago ( around 1960 ) …

More info here: http://www.schlaggitarren.de/home.php?text=hersteller&kenn=11