2018 Daryl Perry "1888 Torres, ex Tarrega" SP/CSAR

Completed in 2018, Daryl built this incredibly accurate copy of the 1888 Torres (SE 114) played by Francisco Tarrega, now in the collection of Sheldon Urlik (this is the guitar famously photographed in the hands of Tarrega in the Soneto poster). Daryl had the opportunity to study the original at some length in 1997 when it was owned by Elias Barriero of New Orleans. For some reason Daryl never got around to making his first copy until over two decades later, perhaps inspired by the 200th anniversary of Torres’ birth in 2017, or more likely by the question (as Daryl told us) of "if not now, when?" Unlike the vast majority of his work, this classical guitar was not made to order and fortunately, it was originally offered to us. At this time, Daryl was uncertain if he would be building any of these in the future, and as far as we know, he has not done so. So this could very well make this a unique guitar in his output. Sound is lush, warm and loose - akin to a great Torres that has been well-played and aged. Body resonance is F# which gives the guitar deep basses and open trebles. Materials are beautiful, with a dark, aged spruce top, high-quality CSA rosewood for the 3-piece back and sides, bridge and headplate. Tuners are Rodgers, nickel silver with bone buttons, quite similar to the gears on the original that Daryl saw in 1997. As usual, Perry's craftsmanship is clean and perfectly executed, making this an elegant tribute to one of history's most iconic instruments. Although used it is in excellent condition with barely any signs of prior use.