1878 Antonio de Torres SP/CY

Built during Torres' second epoch, this guitar is numbered SE 14 on the label by its maker. As is the case with every Torres we've seen, words continue to be inadequate when trying to describe just how rich and harmonious the sound is, how perfectly balanced the notes are when they blend together, and the sensation of playing the guitar as it vibrates against the players body. The trebles have an intoxicating, "velvety" and multi-dimensional texture to the sound and it is remarkable just how sensitive each note is to the slightest change in right hand position - allowing for a wide variety of color and expressivity. The basses are wide and deep with a rich, sonorous bottom-end, also with great lyrical charm and character. When evaluating the sound of a guitar like this, it's difficult to tell where the genius of Torres ends and the accumulated years of being played by great artists begins. Nearly 20 years ago Yuris Zeltins performed a fantastic repair job to the instrument, restoring it to concert-playing and recording condition. A guitar cannot be easier to play than this - it truly plays "like butter" - it's almost as if the player simply thinks of the music, places his hand over the string, and voila - the music magically sings from the guitar. This is also a great example of a cypress instrument that is equally at home with classical repertoire and sound as with flamenco - very versatile in what it can do. It is truly a marvel and a further testament to the sublime acumen of it's builder, the founding father of the modern classical and flamenco guitar, Antonio de Torres.

For more information on the life of Antonio de Torres, be sure to read this short biography and this excerpt about the Torres sound from the Jose Romanillos book, "Antonio de Torres". We also have an interview between Pepe Romero and Kenny Hill about the master luthier.

Orfeo Magazine #9 - The 200th Anniversary of Antonio de Torres