Korean-based luthier Woon Sun Lee has been drawn to the classical guitar his entire life. Initially pursuing his studies in the guitar as a player, he eventually found his calling in lutherie. After some basic training, he entered an apprenticeship position where he not only built hundreds of guitars, but he also dedicated himself to the study of Bouchet and Torres models, as well as doing restoration work on vintage instruments. After this rigorous period of intense study and work, he established his own workshop in 2009 building only concert-level instruments.
Woon Sun's style is understated, yet elegant and perfectly executed. A look firstly at the carpentry reveals a worker who understands craftsmanship at a very intimate level. From a woodworking point of view, this is a flawlessly made instrument. Some interesting details include an origami-lotus motif in the central band of the rosette - all wood is "long grain" which gives the rosette more "sparkle" in various lighting settings. Also his elegant use of maple in the tie block, head veneer and the purfling throughout. A very tasteful and unique look.
For tone, his goal is to produce as natural a sound as he can, allowing the woods to be assembled in such a way that they vibrate freely, and be the primary contributors to the sound quality. This particular guitar is made with a spruce top which enhances the clarity and separation of the voices. At the same time, the tone has a full richness that is normally associated with cedar topped instruments. Although it boasts a weight similar to the Madrid-style makers, it has the loose, quick response found in the southern Spanish schools of Granada and Cordoba. The maple back and sides on this instrument give it an added "warm glow" to each note, giving it a very smooth and warm quality of sound. It is easy to play for both left and right hands, and it projects beautifully to fill any sized room. GSI is pleased to be the exclusive US dealer for Woon Sun Lee.
Photos of this guitar during construction.
