2009 Kenneth Brögger "1864 Torres" SP/CSAR

This 2009 Kenneth Brögger "1864 Torres" is a Danish spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar, a replica of the 1864 Antonio de Torres FE 21B – returning to GSI 17 years after it first left our store.

Kenneth Brögger's "1864 Torres": Modeled on FE 21B

Kenneth created this model after he came to GSI years ago and was able to study the original for several days. This instrument is a near-exact reproduction of that first-epoch Torres from 1864 (see here for photos and description of the original). The dimensions, thicknesses of woods, proportions and aesthetic details of the original have been meticulously reproduced. We sold this very guitar new in 2009, and it has just recently come back to us on trade.

The Magic of Torres

The resulting guitar is in our opinion the finest and most authentic Torres copy we have ever seen. It is astonishing just how close this is to the original. Kenneth has somehow captured the magic of Torres in a way we have never before seen, and we believe that he has special insight into the instruments of Torres unlike any other builder – this may be due in part to the fact that for many years Kenneth owned this original 1890 Torres himself, which he was able to play, study, measure and love extensively.

Quartersawn Spruce and Dark CSA Rosewood

Materials chosen for this guitar are absolutely beautiful. The top is quartersawn with tight grain and some lovely "aguas" throughout. The rosewood on the back is dark and lush. Overall, an aesthetic masterpiece.

Sound and Playability

The sound is quite complex – it is warm yet clear, with a beautiful, lyrical quality in the treble that is found in older instruments, especially Torres. Basses are full and round. Playability is a breeze, with a lively, punchy response providing a plump, juicy and very satisfying sound. All in all, a rich tone across all registers.

Condition

Although used, the guitar is in excellent condition with only some very slight playing wear in the finish. We congratulate Kenneth on this accomplishment and are proud to offer this fine instrument for sale once again.

Denmark's Leading Classical Guitar Maker

Kenneth Brögger is Denmark's top builder – and one of Europe's best makers – of traditional Spanish-style guitars in his generation. Born in Hellerup, north of Copenhagen, in 1948, he served his apprenticeship with the Danish guitar maker Yngve Barslev from 1972 to 1975 and made several research trips to Spain, where he studied French polishing with Antonio Marín of Granada. In 1975 he opened his first workshop in Birkerød, and he later attended the famous masterclasses of José Luis Romanillos.

Honored by the Queen of Denmark

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark congratulates Kenneth Brögger at the 1997 award ceremony.

For five decades Kenneth has been active as a luthier, writer, restorer of old instruments and museum exhibitor. As a result of his tireless efforts he has become highly regarded in his native country, and in 1997 he was honored by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark when he was awarded the "Applied Arts Prize of 1879" and a silver Hetsch Medal, the highest recognition in the field of artisan craftsmanship. He is also the author of Klassisk guitarbygning (Classical Guitar Making, 1990), Danish Guitars – and their Makers (2001) and the memoir A Life With Guitars.

Kenneth Brögger's Torres Replicas and Other Models

Kenneth's style is built on the great Spanish masters: his rosettes suggest Enrique García, Francisco Simplicio and Ignacio Fleta, and his headstock recalls the Manuel Ramírez workshop. Over the years he has owned a wonderful Antonio de Torres, a Simplicio and a Fleta, among others, and they have shaped his own work. Besides his standard model he builds faithful replicas of two Torres guitars he knows intimately – the 1864 "FE 21B" he studied at GSI and the 1890 "SE 144" that was once his own – as well as his "Stradivarius" model, the "Polycentric Baroque Arch" and the "Mosaic" that marked his 50th anniversary as a maker in 2025. His guitars are light yet sturdy and very easy to play, with a fast response, great balance up and down the neck and a clear, penetrating tone.

Birkerød, Mallorca and GSI

Kenneth divides his time between his workshop in Birkerød and, since 2015, a tiny second workshop in Fornalutx, in Mallorca's Sóller Valley. In 2003 he sent GSI one of his books and asked whether we would sell his guitars; the first one sold quickly, and we have worked together ever since. GSI is proud to be his exclusive dealer in the USA.