The guitars I am currently making are built to the plan of Torres’ second epoch guitar SE 114. This was a guitar owned and played by Tarrega.
Tarrega owned three Torres guitars with SE 114 the last. The elements of construction and dimensions of SE 114 are very typical of Torres’ second epoch guitars. Torres’ most common top bracing system of seven fan struts with cutoff bars is used.
Torres used spruce for his tops. Of the surviving Torres guitars, the most typical back and side woods were Rosewood, maple, and cypress. The woods used for SE 114 are as follows:
- Top European Spruce
- Back and Sides Brazilian Rosewood
- Neck Spanish Cedar
- Bridge Brazilian Rosewood
- Fingerboard Ebony
The same materials are used for my guitars built on this pattern with some variations. I have tried to use more North American woods and less scarce “exotic” woods. Engelmann spruce may be used for the top. Indian Rosewood is used in place of Brazilian Rosewood. I have also used domestic figured walnut and flamed and birds-eye maple for backs and sides.
The decorative elements used are drawn from those used by Torres. It is likely that no two of Torres’ rosettes were identical. Each was individually made for the guitar under construction and I follow this practice using motifs commonly employed by Torres.
The dimensions and construction details for the guitars are taken from Jeffrey Elliott’s plan published for the Guild of American Luthiers, plan number 52, based on his restoration of SE 114. Principle dimensions are as follows:
- Scale 650 mm
- Upper Bout Width 274 mm
- Waist Width 234 mm
- Lower Bout Width 360 mm
- Body Length 480 mm
- Side Depth at Heel 87 mm
- Side Depth at End Block 94 mm
- Neck Width at Nut 50.2 mm
Though lightly built, Torres’ guitars have survived the test of time very well. Changes in humidity are the enemy of any guitar. My guitars are assembled in a workshop environment of 40% to 50% relative humidity. Dramatic changes in humidity and extremes of humidity should be avoided. The French polish used in finishing is a very durable finish and is easily repaired when worn or damaged.