
Georg Bolin (1912 - 1993)
Sweden
The 11-string instrument made by Swedish luthier Georg Bolin is commonly referred to as an alto guitar, and it is also known as the "Bolin Guitar." In the 1960s, Bolin collaborated with Swedish guitarist Per-Olof Johnson to create the first alto guitar. Johnson is also well-known as the teacher of the famous guitarist Göran Söllscher.
Göran Söllscher, who primarily performs on both 11-string and 6-string guitars, played a significant role in popularizing Bolin's 11-string alto guitar. His use of this instrument brought much attention to the unique design and sound of the Bolin 11-string alto guitar, contributing to its widespread recognition.