Paolo Coriani - 2010 "La Leona" No. 180

Paolo Coriani is an Italian Luthier who started his career in 1975 at the Masetti Workshop in Modena and took an apprenticeship until 1980. Paolo Coriani established his own workshop in 1984, where he built hurdy-gurdy as well as classical guitars, influenced primarily by Kohno and José Ramirez's designs. His career led him to frequent trips to France, where he met Christian Aubin, a concert guitarist and guitar maker particularly well known for making copies of his 1867 Antonio de Torres and for mentoring Daniel Friederich. Paolo Coriani described the first Torres guitar he encountered as a guitar with incredible depth of sonority and was amazed by the level of restoration work undertaken on this instrument. The encounter of the 1867 A. de Torres was a pivotal moment for Coriani. It sparked his interest in Spanish late 19th century instruments and marked the starting point of his research into them.

His fascination broadened to encompass other guitar-making techniques and develop a proper and comprehensive vision of the diverse construction methods in existence. In Paris, the guitars of Daniel Friederich made a strong impression on him, providing a solid base on which Paolo Coriani built up his own concept. On the other hand, with the help of Richard Schneider and Dr. Michael Kasha, Paolo Coriani was able to fulfill his interest in scientific construction methods.

Paolo Coriani attended a course held by José Luis Romanillos on traditional Spanish classical guitar-making techniques in 1993. His interest again shifted towards traditional methods and Spanish instruments of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Yet, he incorporated a slightly more "scientific" approach gleaned from more "modern" methods.

Paolo Coriani has won numerous awards for his instruments, including the 3rd prize in the Bagnacavallo Young Luthiers Competition in 1984 for a hurdy-gurdy, 1st prize for a classical guitar at the Bagnacavallo National Competition in 1986, as well as 1st prize, and the "Baveno" award at the 1st International Classical Guitar Making Competition in Baveno in 1993.

This wonderful La Leona model instrument was built in 2010, using a cypress back (three parts) and sides like the original instrument. The original 'La Leona' (FE 04) is the 4th guitar made by Antonio de Torres and is considered one of the best guitars he ever made. It was commissioned by the famous guitarist Julián Arcas in 1850 and finished by Torres in 1856. Paolo also reproduced the shape of the original bridge. Instead of using brass Tornavoz, this beautiful guitar has a wooden Tornavoz, bringing the instrument's weight to only 1150 grams. With the primary resonance between D and D#, this instrument produces remarkably deep and resonant basses. The mids and trebles have an ample sound and harmonize beautifully with the basses, making for a genuinely old-world sound character. This outstanding guitar is in excellent condition with very light playing marks. This exceptional replica is an instrument that will bring joy and satisfaction to any modern guitarist.

Check out the presentation video of this specific guitar below in which you will find plenty of extra information about its playability and sound.