Born in Israel and raised among musicians, Erez Perelman found his passion for guitar making after studying guitar performance under Celin Romero in San Diego, California. During these years, Erez would frequently visit GSI to view the historical instruments that would pass through our doors, and study them not only for their structural and physical properties, but also to feel how they played and sounded. As a result of his natural disposition and interest in these beautiful guitars, his instruments are very traditional in sound and playability as well - ultra lightweight, fast response, big, warm, woody sound, etc. After moving his workshop back to Israel for many years, he has recently relocated to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, and this is our first instrument from him built in his new location.
In the spirit of fresh starts, Erez has built us a guitar with birdseye maple for the back and sides - his first for GSI! And wow, he really selected some beautiful materials - this maple has an amazing 3D quality to it - as you tilt it at various angles in light, the birdseye "pockmarks" appear to move like a lava-lamp, absolutely stunning. He's matched it with a gorgeous spruce top with a generous amount of bearclaw. The detailing throughout is also breathtaking including a central CSA rosewood wedge in the center of the back, and a healthy amount of half-herringbone purflings in the head-veneer, tie-block, rosette and back center seam. Overall a very aesthetically pleasing instrument to behold.
The lightweight build is reminiscent of his flamenco blancas with a similar response and yet still has his memorable old-world "classical" tone, full of richness and clarity. With a well-shaped neck and easy action, it is a comfortable guitar for any player. Striking in both appearance and sound, this is a uniquely fine instrument by any standard and we're thrilled to have it here at GSI.
* Photos of this guitar being built
* Testimonial: Angel Romero
* Check out the article on Erez Perelman, in the January, 2011 issue of 'Classical Guitar' magazine.
