Johan Sarens – 2024 – Lattice – 64 cm

Johan grew up in a world full of music, visualization, and creativity. His father is a guitarist, and his grandfather was a lute maker. He first studied jazz guitar at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels and later guitar making at the CMB (Centre for Musical Instrument Making, Puurs Belgium). As a trained guitarist and luthier, he knows all the facets and demands of the instrument. Since 2021 he also teaches the art of classical guitar making at the CMB. Johan specialises in classical and flamenco guitars, using the technique of the Spanish masters. He avoids the use of machines, crafts everything essential to the sound of the guitar by hand and refines all of his instruments with a French shellac polish. He received the Gouden Bootschaaf 2017 the golden finger plane 2017, an award that praises instrument makers for exceptional craftsmanship and spreading their knowledge about guitar making.This brand-new guitar sports a delicate spruce top with a uniform, tight grain decorated with a minimalist rosette that confers a sense of elegance. The deep hues of the Indian rosewood back and sides complement these elements beautifully, conferring this guitar a refined and solemn aesthetic. As we have seen from previous guitars from Johan Sarens, the neck is extremely comfortable, finished with a discrete joint leading to the headstock. Sound-wise, this lattice-braced specimen honours it looks with a resounding and loud presence. Well defin4ed basses are well balanced with sweet singing trebles without showing signs of an overpowering middle range.