2012 Gabriele Lodi "Enrique Garcia" SP/IN

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.

This particular instrument is a very literal bench copy of a 1918 Enrique Garcia that Gabriele Lodi was able to inspect in great detail. With the exception of the material for the back and sides (Indian rosewood instead of CSA roseowood), this "copy" was built as closely as possible to the original in tone and all aesthetic and structural details including the classic exaggerated three-lobed head, contrasting (black/yellow) rosette with herringbone center, slightly more compact plantilla and the asymmetrical 8-fan system that was a hallmark of the Garcia design. The tone is full of old-world charm, with a excellent balance of firm, round basses and clear, ringing trebles. Easy action and comfortable playability round out this exceptional, world-class guitar. Although used, it is in excellent condition with only some modest playing wear in the finish. Overall a great "modern" instrument that captures the spirit of an older Spanish guitar from one of the most revered Spanish workshops of the latter part of the 19th/early 20th centuries.

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