Gerhard J. Oldiges – 2019 La Inclinacion

Description

Gerhard Oldiges started to build guitars in the late seventies while studying and after graduating he completed a two-year apprenticeship as a guitar maker. After that, he first worked in a guitar repair workshop and took part in a guitar making course given by José Romanillos in 1988, with whom he is still friends today and whose courses he has regularly attended since 1996. Gerhard Oldiges is intensively engaged in the history of Spanish guitar building. Thus a special focus of his work is the replication of old Spanish master instruments by Antonio de Torres, Vicente Arias, Manuel Ramírez and others.

This superb guitar built in 2019 is called “La Inclinación”. This means ” The Inclination ” in Spanish, which is particularly interesting as one can observe a particular inclination in the grain structure of the top. In fact, the transversal cell structure of the soundboard is exposed to the surface with a remarkable inclination, creating a unique optical effect. Thus, the top appears to glow, as if tiny “Bear Claws” were covering it. In order to highlight a soundboard of such quality, Gerhard Oldiges chose a set of Brazilian rosewood (Cites Certified) with a very tight and dark grain. This quality of rosewood is very rare today and gives this guitar a real value. A very thin seven fan bracing and double sides in Brazilian Rosewood (Cites Certified) / Mahogany complete the overall picture of the construction of this superb guitar.

It is from the first note that one recognizes a great guitar, and this one definitely belongs to this category of instruments. Perfect balance and richness of tone give it a powerful and clear voice. Moreover, the lightness in the construction of the top is really noticeable in the touch of the right hand. This guitar is both truly responsive and soft to the touch. In addition, the thin neck is very helpful for large spreads in tricky chords, as well as for barrés. Finally, the first string really sings beautifully, a quality which is absolutely essential for the repertoire of classical guitar, and it also presents an extraordinary timbre balance and sustain.