2022 Edmund Blöchinger SP/CSAR

This plantilla of this guitar is inspired by the 1859 Torres that was played and cherished by Miguel Llobet and is now housed in the Museu de la Musica in Barcelona, Spain. For many years Blochinger has built a slightly more compact "Llobet" model that is similar in size to the original Torres. So for his "full-sized" model, he uses the same plantilla, but enlarged to a more "modern" size - this particular guitar being a great example. Blochinger now refers to this as his "Llobet XL" - and has made it his standard model. It has enormous charm both aesthetically and sonically. The tone is warm with a beautiful soft glow but is also very penetrating and clear. It has huge volume and copious amounts of energy that are produced with the greatest ease of touch by the player, making it an absolute delight to play. On stage, it has great projecting power and an outstanding richness of tone. This guitar has harmonically full trebles in particular - giving it a loose, warm sound and feel usually only found in old guitars that have been played in for many years. It also boasts one of the most comfortable neck-shapes (the entire neck and heel unit being made from a single piece of wood), and the finish on the back of the neck is done in such a way that the left hand plays effortlessly, with no "stickiness" for the left thumb. Materials are all first-quality throughout - Blochinger is known for his refined and discriminating taste in selecting woods. Tuners are by Klaus Scheller with snakewood buttons. Fit and finish are absolutely perfect, yet the guitar has a very natural, organic look and feel to it - controlled yet relaxed at the same time. Overall, a complete masterpiece in all respects by one of todays towering figures of guitar making.

Orfeo article on Hauser III, Blochinger and Ober