Fabio Zontini – 2023 Torres FE14 Papier mâché

Description

Fabio Zontini was born in Milan, Italy 1971. He received his diploma as a Master Luthier Restorer from the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan in 1996. He has crafted over 250 instruments in his professional career, drawing inspiration from the masters of historical luthiery. Fabio considers the opportunity to view and measure the works of authors such as Antonio De Torres, Hermann Hauser I, Pietro Gallinotti, Francisco Simplicio, and Louis Panormo as fundamental importance, as they have contributed significantly to the development of his sound and aesthetic approach. In 2007, at the Museum of Music in Barcelona, Fabio conducted an in-depth study of Miguel Llobet’s 1859 guitar, which inspired Hauser I’s Spanish-style instruments, and the famous “Papier Machè” guitar (1862), both made by Antonio De Torres and of which Fabio has produced several copies over the years.

Fabio has participated in numerous national and international exhibitions and given lectures at conservatories, music schools, museums, and important guitar festivals in Italy, Europe, and Central America. In 2016, he collaborated on creating the “Arcimbolda” guitar, a unique instrument crafted by a collective of 15 luthiers, on the occasion of the Roma Expo Guitar. For over twenty years, Fabio has chosen to live and work in the peaceful Ligurian countryside, surrounded by the olive trees of Olle that encircle his home and workshop.

This “Antonio de Torres papier mâché FE14” guitar by master luthier Fabio Zontini is a masterful recreation of the iconic Torres FE14. Unveiled at the prestigious 2023 Roma Expo Guitar, this exquisite instrument redefines artistry by utilizing papier mache in its construction – a technique derived from the French term for ‘chewed paper’.

Fabio Zontini initiated the production of this replica back in 2005, meticulously shaping it to echo the design and feel of the original Torres FE14. Ideal for aficionados of delicate Spanish music like Tarrega, this guitar stands out as an intimate instrument offering an unrivaled acoustic experience. This Fabio Zontini “Antonio de Torres Papier Mache FE14” guitar is a tribute to musical history and a testament to Zontini’s exceptional craftsmanship.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.