Tobias Braun - 2025 - Santos Hernandez 1924
Tobias Braun - 2025 - Santos Hernandez 1924
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Tobias Braun, born in 1960 in Holzminden, Germany, relocated with his family to Perchtoldsdorf near Vienna at an early age. His path into guitar making began in 1983 with the construction of his first concert guitar. In 1984, he attended his first guitar making course with José Romanillos, followed by two further courses in 1988 and 1989. In that same year, Braun obtained his master’s certificate in Vienna.
Braun’s work is firmly rooted in the traditional Spanish school of guitar making. He is particularly known for his historically informed instruments based on close study of original guitars by makers such as Santos Hernández and Manuel Ramírez. His approach reflects a deep respect for original construction concepts and tonal ideals, interpreted through disciplined craftsmanship rather than stylistic reinterpretation.
About the guitar
This guitar was built in 2025 as Tobias Braun’s interpretation of a Santos Hernández guitar from 1924, an instrument originally owned by the Austrian guitarist Luise Walker and personally delivered to her in Vienna by Miguel Llobet. Braun’s work follows the structural and aesthetic logic of the historical model while remaining clearly articulated as a contemporary instrument.
The sound is characterised by a balanced and even response across all registers. Compared to an original Santos Hernández from the mid 1920s, the basses are less deeply resonant but remain warm and controlled, while the overall sustain is noticeably longer. The trebles are clear and lyrical, and the midrange remains stable and well integrated. The tone has a slightly brighter and more modern profile, without the boxy quality often associated with early Spanish guitars.
The instrument responds easily to changes in right hand articulation and offers a stable dynamic range, making it suitable for a wide repertoire. While historically informed in concept, its tonal behaviour and playing comfort place it firmly in a contemporary performance context.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.