Karl-Hermann Schäfer - 2023 - Santos Hernandez

About the luthier

Karl-Hermann Schäfer started making guitars in 1966. He did his apprenticeship under the guidance of master guitar maker Ernest Köröskeny and later studied under master guitar maker Dieter Hopf. After having worked in Hopf’s workshop from 1971 to 1994, he opened his own in Oberneisen and moved to Niederbrechen, Germany, five years later. Karl-Hermann Schäfer has specialized in making the most wonderful replicas one could wish for. These instruments are not only well built, but they also offer the very authentic sound of master instruments of the past.

About the guitar

Karl-Hermann Schäfer is undoubtedly one of the few modern luthiers with a profound understanding of early 20th-century Spanish guitar making, particularly the work of Santos Hernández, Antonio de Torres, and other iconic masters. This particular guitar is inspired by the guitars of Santos Hernández, and it reflects Schäfer’s dedication to authenticity, nuance, and historical detail. Tonally, the guitar is strikingly close to a Santos Hernández from the early 1930s, with a similarly angled headstock and an overall playing feel that captures the soul of the original. The instrument delivers a deep resonance between E and F, giving it a distinct “old world” character, while the basses are rich and profound, and the trebles sing with warmth, sustain, and clarity—a rare combination that few luthiers can achieve. It also boasts remarkable evenness across the entire fingerboard and register, making it not only historically accurate but also a highly playable and expressive concert instrument. Internally, the spruce soundboard is supported by a 7-fan bracing system, with five symmetrical braces and two outer braces connected by small diagonal bars, forming subtle “L”-shaped figures. Similar pattern can be found in 1935 Santos Hernandez. As a pre-loved instrument, this guitar is in excellent condition, with only a few minor playing marks. It could easily be rated as near mint, and stands as a beautiful and faithful homage to one of the greatest luthiers of the classical guitar tradition.