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When I was at Charles Fox's shop this spring for his Contemporary Guitar Making course, he showed us a wonderful book called La Chitarra di Liuteria - Masterpieces of Guitar Making, by Stefano Grondona and Luca Waldner. It is full of beautiful photography and insightful writing about historic guitars and their makers. It's primary focus is the evolution of the classical guitar, with a lot of emphasis on the importance of Torres. There is an especially interesting chapter on the famous cardboard (sometimes called papier mache) guitar that Torres made. Stefano Grondona is a guitarist, and Luca Waldner is a guitar maker. The book comes with a CD of Grondona playing pieces on a dozen or so of the guitars featured in the book, including the cardboard guitar. There is also a two CD set of the same plus more music played on these instruments (this is available separately, and may be hard to find; I got a copy from Barnes and Noble but they told me it was their last).

I couldn't recommend this book/CD more highly. It is very well worth the price. I am a steel string player myself, and steel string design and building is my primary interest (though I love all kinds of music and all kinds of instruments). However, I've been so inspired by this book and the accompanying music that I am planning to build my first classical soon. The two CD set has gotten tons of air time in my house and shop, and it continues to enchant me, my family, and our friends.

The book is out of print, and I only found a copy through an Italian web site (it was published in Italy). However, I had written to Guitar Salon International in Santa Monica, and recently got the following email from them.

Jump on it!

Dear Todd,

Thanks for your message. The book/CD package "La Chitarra di Liuteria" (Masterpieces of Guitar Making) is no longer in print, but we recently found (new, unopened) copies in our warehouse. In case you're still interested in obtaining a copy, it will be available through our web site shortly. It is priced at $119.

If you'd like to place an order right away, please feel free to call or e-mail me at this address.

Kind Regards,

Ken Nagatani
Guitar Salon International
1455 19th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 586-1100 ext. 106
ken@guitarsalon.com

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Yes, A very good book indeed!
A Brazilian friend of mine recently made a cardboard guitar based on the Torres design and it sounds just as good if not better than his other guitars.

Thanks, Todd.  I just sent Ken an email requesting a copy.  Sure hope I'm able to get one.  That would be a great book to accompany my copy of Romanillos' book on Torres.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Thanks for the info Todd.

I got one.  They shipped it today.  Thanks Todd for letting us know.  This book sounds really great.  Also, Ken, at Guitar Solo, said he had one, and the CD is really outstanding, and that Grondona is a great player.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Waddy - Grondona is a personal favorite of mine. You'll love the CD.

Search for Stefano Grondona on YouTube. He plays a really nice Romanillos in those videos.

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

[QUOTE=WaddyT] I got one. They shipped it today. Thanks Todd for letting us know. This book sounds really great. Also, Ken, at Guitar Solo, said he had one, and the CD is really outstanding, and that Grondona is a great player.
[/QUOTE]

I emailed Ken and got a very prompt response. Excellent service.

Cheers Martin

I'll say.  I emailed him before they got to work, left my number, and he called me when he got in.  Very nice.

Thanks for the YouTube tip, Joshua, I'll take a look.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

There is also available a Stefano Grondona CD on the Stradivarius label where he plays the music of Bach,
Scarlatti, and Froberger on an original (second-epoch)
Torres guitar. Excellent sound and performance, with deep
shuddering basses and beautifully lilting trebles..
Still in print, afaik.

The two CD set I was referring to is on the Stradivarius label and is called Lo Cant dels Aucells. I'm afraid that it, like the book, may be out of print.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

For any Australians buying the book I just paid $US119 for the book plus $US40 postage and insurance.

Just to let you know, as of afternoon 8/28 there are still copies available. Ken gushed about it on the phone and said I'd be guaranteed to enjoy it. Another down, not sure how many to go.

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Just ordered one here.........

I just checked tracking at Fed Ex, and I get mine today.      Can't wait.  There goes the workday! 

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars