2026 Bertrand Ligier SP/AR

This 2026 Bertrand Ligier is a classical guitar with a spruce top and African rosewood back and sides, built in the Languedoc region of southern France, and powerful enough to rival many modern double-tops.

Bertrand Ligier's Latest Design

As with each new guitar we receive from him, this instrument features his latest body design, based on the accumulation of many years of constant research. In the never-ending quest to improve his work, Bertrand has once again made slight modifications to give it more aesthetic balance, and the proportions of his headstock design and purflings have been adjusted accordingly. The tie block design at the bridge is inspired by Simplicio - a very charming, yet subtle homage to one of his influences, but done in his own unique way with the central part in relief, almost like a carved jewel. Although "new" in many ways, this is still clearly in the style of the French school - austere and complex, yet understated.

Spanish Method, French Refinement

Soundwise, Bertrand's quest is to maximally increase the acoustic capabilities of his instruments while maintaining a beautiful quality of sound. In late 2019 he left the French mounting technique for the Spanish method, in an effort to improve the relationship between the neck and body - particularly the soundboard. It was a difficult technical decision for him because it required changing several details of his building process, including the creation of new moulds. These newer guitars are more balanced, with strong and lyrical basses and an especially improved first string. The sound remains as classy as before, but with perhaps a bit more old-world charm. The bracing of the top has (like Fleta) two upper and two lower harmonic bars - the second lower bar angled towards the treble side, serving as a treble stiffener. There are five full-length fan braces, symmetrically placed, with two additional shorter fans on either side of the central brace, fanning away from the soundhole and terminating at the bridge. There are also two longitudinal Bouchet-style braces - one under the front edge of the bridge and the other just behind it - yielding a very flexible area for the bridge to move efficiently, yet remain structurally stable. As with his previous instruments, this one has double sides - the inner layer being of mahogany rather than his usual spruce - a "tip of the hat" to Daniel Friederich. This makes the body stiffer yet still lightweight, which in turn helps direct more vibration to the soundboard. This improves projection (particularly in concert settings) and the depth and sturdiness of the basses, as well as giving more rounded and focused trebles.

Swiss Spruce Aged 40 Years

Ligier has not only become recognized for his great quality of sound, but also for his remarkable woodworking skills. The attention to detail found in his inlay work is second-to-none, rivaling the most skilled woodworkers in the trade, and his intricate and perfectly executed rosette designs have become a hallmark of his work. This one bears his newest design, with a beautiful, unique and intricate central mosaic and fine detailing in the outer purfling layers - executed with perfect precision. His pore-filling and French polish work have a mirror-like, perfectly consistent sheen over the entire instrument. This is a maker with a great sense of style combined with virtuosity in the delivery. Materials are also first-rate: a beautiful Swiss spruce top aged 40 years and an exquisite set of colorful African rosewood for the back and sides. Tuners are Alessi H1 with black horn buttons.

Sound: Clarity and Power

And it sounds as good as it looks - it has precise balance and supreme clarity between voices, with a sophisticated voice: a very pronounced fundamental and highly controlled overtones. It is also extremely powerful - we've compared these to many modern double-tops and they rival any of them with ease. Overall an incredibly satisfying instrument on all counts, and we recommend his guitars to players of any level, from the advanced student to accomplished professionals.

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.