2017 steve ganz torrez fe5 classical guitar

Antonio de Torres Jurado (1817–1892) is the central figure of the modern classical guitar. Working in Almería and Seville through the second half of the 19th century, Torres essentially invented the instrument in its current form — establishing the scale length, body proportions, fan bracing geometry, and internal construction that every luthier since has worked from, refined, or reacted against. His guitars were the instruments Tárrega played; they defined the sonic vocabulary of the concert classical guitar. José Romanillos, the Spanish luthier and leading Torres scholar, catalogued Torres's surviving instruments meticulously in his landmark book Antonio de Torres: Guitar Maker — His Life and Work, and it is from this catalogue that the FE5 designation comes. The FE stands for "Estudio Fino" — fine study — and the FE5 is one of Torres's most celebrated designs, characterized by its somewhat smaller body proportions and the warmth, intimacy, and surprising projection that Torres achieved with his characteristically light construction.

Steve Ganz builds classical guitars from his workshop in Blaine, Washington — the northwest of the Northwest, as he puts it — working in the Torres tradition with close fidelity to the historical dimensions and bracing geometry documented in Romanillos's book. This 2017 FE5 is built directly from those proportions, with a rosette that is itself an homage to the original FE5. Ganz is an active participant in the classical guitar building community, well regarded among builders and players for the quality and thoughtfulness of his work.

The result is a guitar of remarkable personality: the smaller Torres body proportions give it a comfortable, intimate feel in the hands, while the 7-fan bracing and French-polish finish allow the top to move freely and responsively. The voice is clear and articulate with genuine projection and excellent balance — qualities Torres himself would have recognized. The spruce top is paired with highly figured Movingui back and sides, a West African tonewood with dramatic flame and golden coloration that makes the back of this instrument visually spectacular. Spanish cedar neck, ebony fingerboard, Perona tuning machines