This 2008 Simon Ambridge "1887 Torres SE 111" is a spruce and birdseye maple classical guitar made in Devon, England, and modeled on the Antonio de Torres guitar SE 111 of 1887.
Simon Ambridge's Homage to the 1887 Torres SE 111
British luthier Simon Ambridge has long cited Antonio de Torres, the great Spanish makers of the early twentieth century and Hermann Hauser I among the principal influences on his work. This extraordinary instrument, however, has a particularly direct connection to Torres: it is Ambridge's homage to the celebrated 1887 Antonio de Torres SE 111, an instrument he had the opportunity to examine firsthand and which is today played and recorded extensively by Italian guitarist Stefano Grondona. Ambridge has described being especially struck by the original guitar's emotive power and purity of sound, and when given the opportunity to build a Torres model of his choosing, SE 111 was the instrument he selected as his inspiration.
Old European Spruce and Birdseye Maple
This Ambridge was built in 2008 and features exquisite material, including an old European spruce soundboard that is perfectly quarter sawn, leaving it covered in generous amounts of cross-grain silk. For the back and sides he used a spectacular set of highly figured, bookmatched birdseye maple. The remarkable figuring of the wood gives the instrument a striking appearance, particularly across the back, where dense birdseye and rippling figure cover virtually the entire surface.
Torres Details: the Chain-Link Rosette, Bridge and Tuners
The original Torres SE 111 is part of a series of guitars Torres built in 1887-1888 that feature variations on a common "chain-link" motif in the rosette – SE 111 has two, while SE 113, SE 114 and SE 116 each have one. Aesthetically, Ambridge respected much of the visual language of the original Torres, and the most immediately recognizable detail is the elaborate rosette with its double chain-link motif. The rosewood bridge with mother-of-pearl tie-block and bridge inlays, restrained purfling and elegantly shaped headstock all contribute to an appearance that is unmistakably rooted in the great Spanish tradition without making the instrument feel like an antiquarian replica. Additionally, the guitar is fitted with a beautiful custom set of Rodgers, made with oval synthetic-ivory buttons and designed as reproductions of antique Jérôme machines. Together with the beautifully executed French polish of shellac, they complete what is an unusually refined instrument visually.
Capturing the Essence of the Spanish Sound
Ambridge did not set out merely to reproduce the dimensions and appearance of an old guitar, however. His stated goal was to capture something of the essence of the original Spanish sound. His SE 111 model is lightly constructed in the traditional manner and typically voiced with a low body resonance, which results in a smooth and velvety tone, and for an instrument with a slightly more compact body size, the guitar has surprising volume and a beautiful, singing treble. It's also very comfortable to play, with a nice neck shape and easy action.
A 2008 Ambridge for Collectors and Players
Although nearly two decades old, the guitar is in excellent condition with virtually no signs of wear in the finish and, of course, no structural issues like any prior damage or repairs. For both the collector and player, this is an unusually compelling example of Ambridge's work: a beautifully preserved 2008 instrument, built from exceptional materials, inspired directly by a historic Torres that Ambridge knew firsthand, and representing his personal interpretation of one of the most celebrated guitars of Torres' mature period.
