Stefan Nitschke "La Morena", 2024

Overview

Among the most admired makers of historically informed Spanish guitars working today, Stefan Nitschke of Germany has built a quiet but significant reputation among collectors and serious players. His instruments are not attempts to reproduce a single famous guitar, but rather distillations of the best qualities found across the breadth of Santos Hernandez's work, particularly the instruments of the 1930s, which many regard as his finest. The result is something that feels deeply authentic without being a mere imitation.

We have followed Stefan's work with interest for some time. We have encountered several of his instruments while traveling and through collector friends, including a Hauser copy and a Santos Hernandez copy. Each encounter left the same impression: these are not just technically accomplished guitars. They are instruments that genuinely capture the spirit of what makes the great Spanish originals so compelling.

This 2024 example, titled "La Morena" by the maker himself, is a Santos Hernandez copy with a spruce top that has already taken on a warm, aged character. The French polish is impeccable, the classic Santos rosette is beautifully executed, and the Brazilian rosewood back and sides are stunning. Every detail points to a builder working at the highest level of his craft.

Sound & Playability

The defining quality of this guitar is its main air resonance, set at approximately E-flat or slightly below. This is the kind of low, deep resonance that gives the great Santos Hernandez instruments their characteristic authority in the bass. Play a low D or drop D, and you feel it as much as you hear it.

What makes this guitar exceptional is that this depth does not come at the expense of the trebles. The upper register remains bright, crisp, and sensitive, qualities that can easily be lost on instruments with such a powerful low end. On this guitar, the balance is remarkable. The nylon G string, often the most problematic voice on an instrument tuned this deep, sounds perfect. And when playing octave Ds at full attack, the bass does not swallow the surrounding voices. Deep, but controlled.

Sustain is another standout quality. Even on notes prone to being short or wolfy, specifically E-flat, E, and D in the lower register, the guitar holds. Notes ring clearly whether isolated with muting or played in full context. You will never feel a shortage of sustain here, which is an impressive achievement given how low this instrument is voiced.

The neck is full and comfortable, very much in the feel of an original Santos Hernandez. Action is super low. The head angle is slightly greater than most classical guitars, another nod to the original design. The Barnett tuners are highly ornate, beautifully engraved, and immediately recognizable as something special. Everything about this guitar, from the playing feel to the visual details, is consistent with the finest traditional Spanish lutherie.

About the Luthier

Stefan Nitschke is a German luthier whose specialty is historically informed copies of the great early 20th-century Spanish masters. Rather than reproducing a single specific instrument, his approach is to internalize the full range of Santos Hernandez's finest work, particularly the 1930s period, and build instruments that reflect the essence of that tradition. The result is immediately convincing to players who know the originals well.

His instruments have found their way into the collections of serious players and collectors internationally, and encounters with his work consistently leave a strong impression. His French polish is exceptional, his visual details are refined and true to the originals, and most importantly, his guitars sound like what they are meant to evoke.

Condition

Excellent — like new.

Specs

Luthier: Stefan Nitschke

Year: 2024

Guitar Title: La Morena

Top: Spruce

Back & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood

Construction: Traditional

Finish: French Polish

Scale Length: 650 mm

Nut Width: 52 mm

Air Resonance: E♭

Tuners: Barnett

Strings: D'Addario XTC45FF with normal tension nylon first string
https://ddar.io/guitar-collection

Condition: Excellent, like new

This guitar is available with worldwide shipping.

If you're interested in purchasing, please write to me at evan@guitarcollection.com

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