2020 Bertrand Ligier SP/CSAR

This 2020 Bertrand Ligier is a classical guitar with a spruce top and CSA rosewood back and sides, built in the Languedoc region of southern France, marking a turning point in how he joins neck and body.

The First Ligier Built by the Spanish Method

We're very pleased to be working with this fine maker, and this is an impressive concert-level guitar in every regard. 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, 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. Although "new" in many ways, this is still clearly in the style of the French school - austere and complex, yet understated.

Why Bertrand Changed His Method

Soundwise, Bertrand's quest is to maximally increase the acoustic capabilities of his instruments while maintaining a beautiful quality of sound. This guitar is the first (to us) where Bertrand has 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. But Bertrand became convinced of these improvements, and since late 2019 he has built 4 guitars with his new approach, each of them re-affirming his decision - these newest 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 five bars and an asymmetrical bar under the rosette. Like all his guitars, it has double sides, here with an inner layer of spruce, which Bertrand chose for its lightweight quality and because it was often used for back and sides during the Romantic period (for example in the instruments of René Lacote). The doubled sides make the body stiffer while keeping it light, directing more vibration to the soundboard - which improves projection (especially in the concert hall), deepens and strengthens the basses and gives rounder, more focused trebles.

CSA Rosewood from Dominique Field's Private Stock

Beyond the sound, Ligier has become recognized for his remarkable woodworking skills - the detail in his inlay work rivals the most skilled woodworkers in the trade, and his perfectly executed rosettes are a hallmark of his work. His French polish has a mirror-like, perfectly even sheen over the entire instrument. Great style, delivered with virtuosity. Materials are also first-rate: a beautiful spruce soundboard from the Italian Alps (Val di Fiemme) and a stunning set of aged CSA rosewood for the back and sides that he obtained from Dominique Field's private stock. Tuners are Alessi H1 with ebony buttons. It sounds every bit as good as it looks: precise balance, supreme clarity between voices and a sophisticated voice with a very pronounced fundamental and highly controlled overtones. An incredibly satisfying instrument on all counts - we recommend his guitars to players of any level, from advanced students to accomplished professionals.

Photos of this guitar taken just after completion

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.