Johan Sarens - 2026 Lattice
Johan Sarens - 2026 Lattice
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
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.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.