About the luthier

Johan Sarens grew up in an environment closely connected to music and craftsmanship. His father is a guitarist and his grandfather was a lute maker, which exposed him early to both the musical and technical aspects of the instrument. Sarens studied jazz guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels while simultaneously training in guitar construction at the Centre for Musical Instrument Making (CMB) in Puurs, Belgium. This combination of practical musicianship and instrument making gives him a direct understanding of the needs of performing guitarists.

During his early years as a maker he built a variety of instruments, including steel string and solid body guitars. Over time his work became increasingly focused on classical and flamenco guitars. In these instruments he follows construction principles derived from the Spanish tradition, carrying out the elements that most strongly influence the sound largely by hand while keeping the use of machines to a minimum. His guitars are finished with traditional French polish.

In 2017 Sarens received the “Gouden Bootschaaf” (Golden Finger Plane), an award recognising instrument makers for exceptional craftsmanship and for their contribution to the preservation and transmission of the craft of instrument making. Since 2021 he has also been teaching classical guitar making at the CMB in Puurs.

About the guitar

This guitar from 2026 represents Johan Sarens’ interpretation of a modern lattice braced concert instrument. Built with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, the relatively light construction results in a highly immediate response. Notes develop quickly after the attack and reach their full presence with very little effort from the player.

The tonal character is smooth and rounded, supported by a rich field of overtones. The instrument reacts readily to a light touch, allowing the player to articulate passages with clarity while maintaining a full and resonant sound. The sustain remains stable and the registers are well balanced, with defined basses and singing trebles that retain a soft tonal edge.

This combination of fast response, overtone richness and a warm tonal colour gives the instrument a wide dynamic range while preserving clarity in the voice. The result is a responsive modern concert guitar that allows subtle control of articulation and colour.

Johan Sarens

Johan Sarens - 2026 Lattice