Johan Sarens – 2022 Lattice

Description

Johan grew up in a world full of music, visualization, and creativity. His father is a guitarist, and his grandfather was a lute maker. He first studied jazz guitar at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels and later guitar making at the CMB (Centre for Musical Instrument Making, Puurs – Belgium). As a trained guitarist and luthier, he knows all the facets and demands of the instrument. Since 2021 he also teaches the art of classical guitar making at the CMB. Johan specialises in classical and flamenco guitars, using the technique of the Spanish masters. He avoids the use of machines, crafts everything essential to the sound of the guitar by hand and refines all of his instruments with a French shellac polish. He received the “Gouden Bootschaaf 2017” – the golden finger plane 2017, an award that praises instrument makers for exceptional craftsmanship and spreading their knowledge about guitar making.

This wonderful guitar comes directly from Johan’s workshop and is absolutely beautiful. With its lattice-braced cedar top and double Indian rosewood/cypress sides, it has a very natural and warm sound character. The dark and smooth tone is fascinating and gives the trebles an extraordinary coziness and grace. It is clearly noticeable that Johan has optimised the shape and size of the neck for maximum comfort, so that as a player one always feels well supported. Overall, this is a wonderful instrument with charismatic voice, made by a very knowledgeable and capable luthier who is well on his way to establishing a long-term reputation in the classical guitar scene.