2014 Bertrand Ligier SP/IN

This 2014 Bertrand Ligier is a classical guitar with a spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, built in the Languedoc region of southern France, from the early years of our work with him.

An Early Ligier from the Languedoc

Having built with cedar in his early years, Bertrand had by then chosen to work exclusively with European spruce tops; this one has a very fine top from the Swiss Alps with an asymmetrical fan bracing system, double sides with an interior layer of cypress (4.5 mm combined), and a back structure composed of five crossed rods. Reinforcing the back and sides this way gives an optimal transfer of energy from the strings to the soundboard and the neck - and with it better projection, deep and sturdy basses, and rounded, focused trebles. And, most interestingly, the neck and body are made separately and joined at the very end of the process - so-called "French mounting". The resulting sound is beautifully lyrical, loose and open.

Appearance and Condition

Visually, it reflects his study of the great masters past and present - a touch of Bouchet in the headstock, Friederich in the plantilla, Field in the rosette - but the whole is unmistakably Ligier. Tuning machines are by Nicolo Alessi, with exotic snakewood in the buttons and plate inlays.

Although a used instrument, it is in excellent condition with only some minor signs of playing wear in the finish. We recommend it to players of any level, from the advanced student to accomplished professional.

Orfeo Magazine article on Bertrand Ligier

Bertrand Ligier and the French School

Based in southern France, Bertrand Ligier is considered one of the best makers of the new French generation. Since we have been working with him, his work has constantly evolved with each guitar to reach higher levels of craftsmanship and musicality that are now internationally recognized. His attention to aesthetics and his keen sense of sound place him in the tradition of the French school that begins with Robert Bouchet, followed by Daniel Friederich, Dominique Field, Jean-Noël Rohé and now Bertrand Ligier. Indeed, both Dominique Field and Jean-Noël Rohé have played an important role for Bertrand through their helpful advice and continuous support of his work for many years.

A Workshop in Connaux, near Avignon

Before turning to the guitar, Bertrand studied art history and then trained as a cabinet-maker, with apprenticeships in the south of France and in Spain. He works in Connaux, a village between Avignon, Nîmes and Uzès, in a former silkworm house that he renovated himself into his workshop. With a growing wait-list and increasing international demand, we are pleased to have US exclusivity with this fine maker, who provides us one instrument per year.