Lucio Antonio Carbone – 2022 “A. de Torres 1888 relic”

Description

Lucio Carbone is an Italian luthier based in Milan. He was born in 1959 and established himself as a guitar maker already in 1983. He started his workshop in Milan in 1989, at the age of 30, where he builds high quality, mostly traditional guitars in Via Carlo Goldoni 77.

This guitar is truly remarkable. We knew that Lucio Carbone is a master in this field, but we would not have expected such an astonishing result. The accuracy of the colour, texture and patina of this Antonio de Torres copy makes it difficult for even a trained eye to recognise it as a new guitar. Lucio has even transferred “fake cracks” to the surface of the back and sides and made a facsimile of the original labels. Fortunately, Lucio Carbone’s branding, which can be found inside the guitar and on the back of the headstock, makes it clear that this is a copy and not a plagiarism. This instrument was a special order from Siccas as a challenge to Lucio to build as realistic a Torres copy as possible, and the result is remarkable.

Also, sound-wise, the first impression is confirmed, as the charm of the tone of this Torres copy is inspiring. The sound of this guitar is both very relaxed and precise as well as appealing. Balance and sustain are in impressive balance and every note develop elegantly. The mature and open character has an unmistakable Spanish nuance, and the overall perfect playability makes it a truly delightful concert guitar.