HENRIQUE GABRIEL - classical guitar maker

About my work

 

Lutherie is a fascinating craft, rich in history and tradition. For me, guitar construction is a highly creative and personal experience.  My approach  combines what I feel are the best design and construction principles from traditional and contemporary lutherie.

I only make a limited number each year using old style tools and building methods and I hope these pages might be of interest for other guitar enthusiasts out there.

Construction of the guitars is done in a humidity controlled environment using the best woods available. Building at a low humidity level greatly reduces the risk of cracking when the completed guitar is subjected to extremes

The soundboard is the heart of the guitar. High quality material is critical for obtaining a superior instrument. For the top I am happy to use either spruce or cedar. Both have their own merits and provide a very different result. I concentrate on using European spruce, mainly cut in Austria, Switzerland and Italy. The wood I use for struts and bars is quarter sawn, and cut from split billets. Struts are glued to the soundboard with hot glue using a solera (dished work board).

 

For the backs, sides and bridges I use various species of wood: Indian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood, Amazon Rosewood and African Blackwood. Other options are European maple, Mediterranean cypress, Padauk and Bubinga. But Indian rosewood is my first choice. The density, weight and resilience of Indian rosewood suits my needs for the guitars tone. I believe it is in no way inferior to other rosewoods. I very much like its well behaved, solid tone-color and excellent bass.

Honduras cedar is used for the neck to provide a stable, light neck which will not upset the balance of the guitar making it easier to play. All materials are stored for at least five years before use to be assured they are stable and reliable.

Each guitar takes at least one hundred and twenty hours to complete, using the minimum of power tools preferring traditional hand tools to provide precision, care and sensitivity to create a hand crafted finished instrument.

 

I use two different bracing styles.

The first bracing pattern is based on the work of Hauser and Romanillos,  making this 19th Century archetypal system suited for modern requirements.

By studing and combining design elements from these great makers with my own ideas I have adopted some of their methods of construction to help me in my own quest to build my ideal guita rand  I produce instruments which are traditional in style, lightly built and very responsive. I am aiming for a sound which is full bodied, yet clear and focused across the whole musical spectrum

It is a versatile guitar which can tackle all kinds of music. I also use deflection testing on the plates, a method for determining the quality and final thickness of the wood by measuring the compliance under a certain weight.

The second bracing is based on Miguel Rodriguez.

 

I take pride in making my own mosaic rosettes and all other marquetry and parts.

I make all my inlays by hand and individually, and they sometimes differ from one guitar to another.

Construction and design of the rosette is handcrafted using wood veneer of various exotic trees. I prefer to use the natural colour of woods where possible gives a natural looking rosette. The design of the rosette is important to myself and should reflect the quality of the tone, vibrant but with balance between colour and movement within the pattern

I use the 12 hole system for tying strings to the bridge. The obvious improvement is that a constant break angle is maintained over the saddle maximising energy transference to the soundboard

The guitars are finished using French polish to give a finish which, reflects the depths, grain and natural character of the wood. I prefer to use the traditional the method of dissolving shellac flakes in alcohol to be assured the polish is pure, fresh and of a desired quality, then applied using traditional methods. It is also relatively easy to repair and maintain.

 

Comments and questions are welcome!