Carl Hermann Schäfer – 2018 Torres

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.

Faithful copies of Antonio de Torres’ instruments are rare and extremely demanding for guitar builders. This guitar built by Carl-Hermann Schäfer is a true gem of lutherie and a splendid facsimile of the SE 113 guitar built by Antonio de Torres in 1888. The degree of refinement of this guitar is astonishing. Especially the inlays of the rosette are of impressive precision and delicacy, and the top is an excellent piece of 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 Reischl machine heads are also a perfect match for the overall look of this Carl Hermann Schäfer guitar.

This Torres copy is very light in weight and of a stunning spontaneity. It has retained the charm of Antonio de Torres’ instruments as well as the typical grain and richness of sound. The treble strings are a great example of tonal delicacy and elegance. The basses sound fantastically precise, with a clarity and intelligibility that is perfectly suited to contrapuntal pieces of the classical guitar repertoire. In short, this is a true work of art and a guitar that is one of the best of its kind.