Nicolas Lamoureux - 2025

About the luthier

Nicolas Lamoureux is a French luthier with a rich and diverse background. After studying music and classical guitar at the Nancy Conservatory in the late 1990s, he pursued his passions for photography, cinema, animation, and architecture, working for nearly a decade in Paris as a 3D graphic designer on feature films, commercials, animated movies, and architectural visualizations. During this time, his love for classical guitar deepened, and he became fascinated by the craftsmanship of master guitar makers, exploring their work through collectors, books, concerts, and recordings. Inspired by the unique tonal personalities of iconic guitars, Nicolas built his first instrument, a success that motivated him to continue. With guidance from Dominique Field and Thomas Norwood, he left Paris to establish himself as a guitar maker in Corrèze, in the heart of France. Today, his finely crafted concert guitars are renowned for their exceptional quality and are played by remarkable musicians and students in conservatories across France.

About the guitar

This instrument reflects Nicolas Lamoureux’s ongoing refinement of his concert model, shaped by insights gained through building replicas and studying historical guitars. Developed under the guidance of Dominique Field and Thomas Norwood, the guitar integrates structural and acoustic innovations inspired by recent Dominique Field instruments. Its internal architecture features a reinforced back with four longitudinal bars and two perpendicular crossbars, complemented by cedar linings on the sides to enhance structural integrity. These additions contribute to a richer overall tone and a more directional sound projection. At the core of the soundboard lies an asymmetrical five-fan bracing system, a layout commonly associated with Field’s approach, enhanced by a slanted harmonic bar reminiscent of those in 19th-century French guitars by René Lacôte. This configuration supports clarity and brilliance in the trebles while maintaining strong presence in the midrange. Lightweight bracing beneath the bridge ensures immediate responsiveness and a broad dynamic range, allowing for expressive articulation. Built using traditional methods, the Indian rosewood back and sides offer tonal warmth and playing comfort. Visually, the guitar remains understated and elegant, with a rosette that pays tribute to a 1990 Dominique Field guitar that Lamoureux himself once played. This concert model offers a compelling blend of precision, richness, and refined craftsmanship.