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 (born 1976) comes from a family of classical guitar makers. His father was a luthier and player, and Gabriele happily spent most of his childhood in his father's workshop in Carpi, near Modena. From the age of 13 he was helping out at the bench, and by 20 he had made guitar making his profession. He still works in that same family workshop today.

From Historical Guitars to the Spanish School

The historical instruments that came through the shop for repair sparked a lasting fascination with old guitars, and because of it many of his own guitars are strongly rooted in traditional design and aesthetic. After studying the Romantic guitars of the 19th century, he turned to the Spanish school from Torres on, traveling regularly to Buenos Aires from 2004 to study great Spanish guitars. Besides his Torres models, he builds guitars inspired by the Madrid school – Manuel Ramírez, Santos Hernández and Domingo Esteso – and by the Barcelona school of Enrique García.

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. He has restored several important original Torres instruments, and along the way captured insights from the hand of Torres that have led him to explore his own ideas to carry the Torres tradition forward into the modern day. He is also a co-author of the book Antonio de Torres – Lo Stradivari della chitarra moderna. His Torres guitars carry the words "My Torres Interpretation" on the label: they are never literal copies, but combine his favorite elements of various Torres instruments with details that answer the needs of today's players.

Gabriele Lodi and GSI

Gabriele has used his own label (instead of the family label) since 2013, and in 2021 his guitar No. 100 launched his "Expo Series" of guitars made for Roma Expo Guitars (REG). His workshop has become a meeting place for players and collectors, and GSI is his only dealer in the United States.