Antonio de Torres
“You may think his fame comes from being the father of the modern guitar or the one who unified ideas to create the dimensions and characteristics we know the guitar as we know today. But we need to talk about the most important aspect in a guitar, which is the sound. The guitar is a musical instrument.
Antonio de Torres also produced, created, the most beautiful, impressive, and sublime sound ever achieved. We don’t know what he had in his head, what he focused on that we don’t focus on now today, his ability to understand the wood or perhaps he simply had a talent and feelings and understanding of the instrument that only he had. But nobody since him never reach the quality and the beauty of sound he was able to achieve” Alberto Cuéllar (Founder/CEO Madera)
Antonio de Torres Jurado (1817-1892):
Antonio de Torres Jurado, known as the “Father of the Modern Guitar,” was born on June 13, 1817, in La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain. He is regarded as the most influential guitar maker in history, credited with defining the design and construction of the classical guitar as we know it today.
Early Life
Torres came from a humble family. His father, Juan Torres, was a potter, and Antonio initially followed this family trade. However, due to health issues and a lack of interest in physical labor, he sought other opportunities. In his youth, he worked as an apprentice carpenter, which allowed him to develop skills that he later applied to his craft as a guitar maker.
In 1835, he married Juana María López, with whom he had three children. The need to support his family led him to learn guitar making, although at first, it was a secondary source of income. After the death of his wife in 1845, Torres decided to dedicate himself fully to guitar making.
Beginnings as a Guitar Maker
In the 1840s, Torres moved to Seville, where he began working on guitars under the influence of local guitar makers. It was here that he came into contact with prominent musicians of the time, including the renowned guitarist and composer Julián Arcas, also from Almería. Arcas became a key advocate for Torres’ guitars and encouraged him to develop his innovative ideas.
Although there is no governmental documentation from the time to confirm it, there are references from notable figures of the era who mention it. During this period, Antonio de Torres passed through the city of Granada and came into contact with the Granada guitar maker José Pernas, where he obtained very valuable and important information for his career and concepts of guitar making.
The Revolution of the Modern Guitar
In Seville, Torres began experimenting with new design concepts that would revolutionize the guitar. Among his most significant innovations were:
- Larger Body: Torres enlarged the body of the guitar, increasing sound projection.
- Fan Bracing: He refined a fan-bracing system for the soundboard, improving resonance and enabling better sound distribution.
- Thin, Lightweight Soundboard: He opted for a thinner soundboard combined with strategic bracing, resulting in a more powerful and balanced sound.
- Overall design and standard meausures: During a period when there were many different design types that now seem unusual in proportion for a guitar, Torres was able to establish Plantillas (template) dimensions and general measurements for the guitar that, over time, made his model the one we now consider “standard”. Although we can already see similar dimensions in guitars made by previous guitar makers, such as those from the Granada guitar maker José Pernas, Torres knew how to select what worked best, combining a series of fundamental elements into what we now recognize as the Spanish guitar.
These innovations established the standard design for the classical guitar, which remains largely unchanged today.
Golden Era: The “First Epoch” (1850-1869)
During this period, Torres crafted his first master guitars. Many of these instruments bore his signed and dated label. Among them was the famous “La Leona” (1856), a guitar that became iconic for its exceptional sound quality and revolutionary design.
Torres was known for his meticulous craftsmanship. Although he built relatively few guitars each year, each was a masterpiece.
Second Epoch (1875-1892)
After a brief retirement in 1870, Torres returned to Almería, where he established a workshop in his hometown. This period, known as his “Second Epoch,” produced some of his most celebrated guitars, recognized for their mature design and refined tonal qualities.
Legacy
Antonio de Torres passed away on November 19, 1892, in Almería, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the guitar. His guitars, though few in number, are highly valued and sought after by collectors and musicians worldwide.
Torres’ influence extends beyond his instruments. His visionary approach and technical innovations set the standard for the modern guitar and laid the groundwork for future generations of guitar makers. Many of the great guitar makers of the 20th century, and perhaps is not wrong to say that all guitar makers of the 20th century, drew inspiration from his work.
Today, original guitars by Antonio de Torres are considered historical treasures of immense musical and cultural value and are displayed in museums and private collections around the world.