Description
Carl Hermann Schäfer started making guitars in 1966. He did his apprenticeship under the guidance of master guitar maker Ernest Köröskeny and later studied under master guitar maker Dieter Hopf. After having worked in Hopf’s workshop from 1971 to 1994, he opened his own in Oberneisen and moved to Niederbrechen, Germany, five years later. Carl Hermann Schäfer has specialized in making the most wonderful replicas one could wish for. These instruments are not only well built, but they also offer the very authentic sound of master instruments of the past.
Faithful copies of Antonio de Torres’ instruments are rare and extremely challenging for guitar makers. This instrument built by Carl-Hermann Schäfer is a true gem of guitar making and is distinguished not only by an extremely impressive and beautiful maple for the back and sides. This gorgeous wood was acquired by Carl-Hermann Schäfer from Austria and has a fascinating pattern. The trained eye will notice that the back is actually made from a single piece of maple and later embellished with two delicate ebony stripes to evoke the three-piece back often executed by Antonio de Torres on his guitars.
This Torres model is in excellent overall condition. Two small knots in the wood can be seen at the back in the upper bout, from which two tiny cracks have developed. The knots were filled by Carl Hermann Schäfer during the construction phase and the cracks were later stabilized. The appearance of this guitar is already enough to make any guitar lover’s heart beat faster. But especially in regards to sound, this instrument is a true masterpiece. Its overall very warm and balanced sound character, as well as the wonderfully singing treble and the gorgeous carrying basses, merge into a very homogeneous and inspiring sound image.
The degree of refinement of this guitar is amazing. Especially the inlays of the rosette are of impressive precision and delicacy, and the top is made of excellent spruce with an antique vintage look. The label is a fine interpretation of the original and a beautiful homage to the work of the “father of the modern classical guitar”. The elegant Rodgers tuners also perfectly match the overall look of this Carl Hermann Schäfer guitar.
Luthier: | Carl Hermann Schäfer |
Construction year: | 2018 |
Top: | Spruce |
Body and sides: | Maple |
Scale: | 650 mm |
Nut: | 50 mm |
Weight: | 1300 grams |
Air resonance frequency: | F |
Tuners: | Rodgers |
Strings: | Knobloch 400ADC |
Case: | Hiscox Pro II |
Condition: | Excellent |