The transition from 'Spanish' guitar to the contemporary acoustic guitar, took
place during the latter part of the 19th century, in a society that was characterised by
a highly differentiated social structure and in an environment of rapid
industriails ation and commercial growth. The evolution from an agrariant o an
industrial society produced the conditions in which the 'Spanish' guitar could be
appropriated, adapted and ultimately 'Americanized'. In part the dominance of
American guitars throughout the 20th century is due to this early industrial isation;