2020 Gabriele Lodi "Torres" SP/CSAR

This 2020 Gabriele Lodi "Torres" is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Italy — a Torres-inspired concert instrument with old-world color and modern power, in almost-like-new condition.

A Tribute to Antonio de Torres

This instrument is one of Gabriele's tributes to the great Antonio de Torres. In this series of instruments Gabriele lovingly calls "My Torres Interpretation" (each guitar is unique - never the same guitar built twice), he builds a strongly Torres-inspired instrument but never a literal copy. Each instrument draws strongly from various Torres guitars he has seen and worked on, but he also seeks to bridge the "old-world" (gut string) with the modern era (nylon string) to produce a fully modern instrument that can be appreciated and played by any contemporary player.

Old-World Subtlety, Modern Power

This is done by building a guitar that is capable of producing not only the power and projection needed for the concert stage, but also an instrument that has old-world subtlety, refinement of tone and maximal expressiveness. Gabriele is particularly focused on producing a guitar with a huge color palette and great dynamic range, much like the old Spanish guitars and in particular those of Torres. And judging from the many guitars of Gabriele's we've seen, he's done it. This guitar has the charm, spirit and musical expressivity that many modern instruments lack, yet still has the power and projection that modern players have come to expect.

Craftsmanship and Aesthetics

As much as Gabriele focuses on the sonic and responsive qualities of the guitar, he also has a flair for aesthetics. His taste in detailing is exquisite and his craftsmanship is second-to-none. The inlays and purflings are largely drawn from various Torres instruments but assembled to Gabriele's fine taste.

Our Take

This is an exquisitely built instrument with no detail overlooked, and although "used" is in "almost-like-new" condition with just a few very small blemishes in the finish. We believe Torres himself would be astonished and proud to see his legacy being carried out, more than a century after his death, by the important work of many makers such as Gabriele, and in particular with this instrument. Our congratulations to Gabriele on what can only be considered nothing short of yet another masterpiece!

Further Reading

Orfeo Magazine #13 – Lodi, Bottelli, Coriani, Peruffo

A Family of Guitar Makers

Italian luthier Gabriele Lodi comes from a family of classical guitar makers, happily spending the majority of his childhood helping out in his father's workshop. By the age of 20, he had officially made guitar making his profession and began to focus on his fascination with historical instruments. Because of this interest, many of his guitars today are strongly rooted in traditional design and aesthetic.

Carrying the Torres Tradition Forward

In the last many years, the great Antonio de Torres has become a primary driving force in Gabriele's work as a restorer, historian and, of course, as a builder. Gabriele has restored several important original Torres instruments, and along the way, captured some insights from the hand of Torres that have led him to explore his own innovative ideas to carry the Torres tradition forward into the modern day.