1998 Kevin Aram "Reba" SP/MP

This 1998 Kevin Aram “Reba” is a spruce and flamed maple classical guitar, custom-ordered by GSI and based on an 1889 Antonio de Torres.

A Torres Model Made for GSI

This was originally a custom-ordered guitar made for GSI in 1998. It is based on an original 1889 Antonio de Torres guitar (SE 129 in the Sheldon Urlick book “A Collection of Fine Spanish Guitars”), and rather than bird’s-eye maple for the back and sides, flamed maple (a.k.a. “rippled English sycamore”, as it’s known in the UK) was requested, with body bindings in lacewood.

Woods and Details

The soundboard is European spruce, the neck Brazilian cedar, the fingerboard ebony, and the bridge and head facing are CSA rosewood. The creamy-colored wood you see in the rosette and purflings is boxwood. The guitar is entirely French polished and fitted with custom Rodgers tuners with nickel silver plates.

Sound and Condition

The sound is delicate and refined with silky trebles and smooth, steady basses – there is something very musical about this instrument in particular. The guitar is in excellent condition with no cracks, damage or repairs, only some modest playing wear.

In Orfeo Magazine

Kevin Aram is featured in Orfeo Magazine No. 11 – England (cover above, read it online), also available in print in the collected edition:

Orfeo Magazine 11–15 (print edition)

Kevin Aram: An English Master

Kevin Aram is considered to be one of the best makers in northern Europe and has made guitars for some of the most prominent players in the world, including Julian Bream. Working in North Devon, England, since 1991, he builds around twelve guitars a year and gives every one its own name – like Romanillos, usually a woman’s name – written by hand on the label beside his signature.

Torres, Hauser and Romanillos

His guitars are influenced by the work of Torres, Hauser and Romanillos, who helped him when he started building classical guitars. The sound is delicate and refined, although that is not to say that they don’t have great volume – but it is rather the quality of sound which is most noticeable. There is something very musical about these instruments which reveals itself in every note, and Aram’s guitars have warmth and charm and are beautifully made.