Carl-Hermann Schäfer – 2021 Torres “Premium”

Description

The Premium models are unique instruments that are developed in cooperation with a selection of exceptional luthiers. These models are exclusively available at Siccas Guitars and are built with the finest Cites-certified Brazilian rosewood of premium quality. Due to its outstanding physical and tonal characteristics, this wood has been used in guitar building since the 19th century and is regarded as the most valuable and aesthetically appealing tonewood in guitar building.

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 116 “La Italica” 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 Scheller machine heads are also a perfect match for the overall look of this Carl-Hermann Schäfer guitar.

What a rich, sweet, and inspiring tone. This guitar has one of the warmer, darker, and rounder sounds that one can expect from a spruce top classical guitar. With its intimate warmth and easy to play set up, it really shows how close one can get to an original 19th-century Spanish guitar. Chapeau.