Classical Guitar: Master Model

Master Model - 'Barcelona'

Design

Hommage
The Barcelona model draws inspiration from early 20th-century instruments by Enrique Garcia, Francisco Simplicio and the early work of Ignacio Fleta — makers whose instruments exemplify the refinement of the early Barcelona tradition.

Body Shape
Rather than producing an exact copy, this model is an original design informed by instruments from the 1920s and 1930s. I retain the essential proportions and structural concepts of those guitars while redrawing the outline to establish a form that is historically grounded, yet distinctly my own. The result is an instrument that functions within the tradition, but carries an independent visual identity.

Decorative Style
The decorative language combines restrained line work with hand-made herringbone and mosaic elements. Each inlay is constructed in the workshop from raw veneers, hand-planed to varying thicknesses to create subtle shifts between bold and fine lines. The overall impression is intricate, yet balanced — ornament serving form rather than overpowering it.

Soundboard Bracing
A spruce soundboard supported by an eight-fan bracing system gives the Barcelona its characteristic voice. The tonal response is dark, nuanced and intimate — particularly suited to chamber settings and smaller performance spaces.

Barcelona model rosette made entirely by hand from coloured timber veneers

Materials

Best Grade

The Master Model is built from the finest materials in my collection, selected for tonal and visual character, and aged in the workshop for as long as possible — in some cases, over twenty years. The distinction lies not only in decorative quality, but in structural properties such as the stiffness and elasticity of the soundboard.

Soundboard

The spruce is sourced from high-altitude forests in Switzerland, Italy and Austria. Slow-growing alpine trees produce narrow, even growth rings and exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio. This allows the soundboard to be worked to a refined thickness, increasing responsiveness while maintaining structural integrity.

Back & Sides

The maple is selected from old-growth material originating in well-managed Austrian forests. Harvested using traditional low-impact methods, it offers a range of figure — from pronounced fiddleback, shell and bird’s-eye patterns to quieter, more understated grain. Each set is chosen not only for appearance, but for its acoustic contribution to the overall voice of the instrument.

​Appointments

In addition to the elevated material and decorative standard, the Master Model is fitted with Sloane Tuners. These machines feature a ball-bearing string post for exceptionally smooth and precise tuning.

The instrument is supplied in a lightweight flight-ready case, offering greater protection and ease of travel compared with a standard hard case.

figured maple back and sides harvested from the Alpine meadows in Austria

Varnish

French polish is a traditional method of applying spirit varnish in extremely thin layers. The varnish is made from shellac resin dissolved in alcohol, producing a light, flexible finish with minimal damping effect on the instrument’s sound.

Although more delicate than modern synthetic coatings, French polish is readily repairable and can be renewed over time, allowing the instrument to age gracefully while maintaining its visual depth.

Making the 'Barcelona' model