Sometimes there are events that touch us at the deepest level, without we don't know why or how. This is precisely what happened to me in me during the terrible fire of April 15, 2019, when Notre-Dame Cathedral cathedral was ravaged by flames. This edifice, closely linked to the history of France, represents a priceless historical and cultural heritage for our country.
After brilliantly passing the qualifications to take part in the competition Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition in the "Guitar Luthier" category, it seemed seemed obvious to me to pay tribute to Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral through my final project.
My aim was to demonstrate the know-how and creativity inherent in my craft the cathedral's rich architectural and artistic elements, as well as the image of excellence and ingenuity specific to the builders of this monument.
The guitar I proudly present is the fruit of this process, the same one that earned me a place as a finalist in the MOF 2023 competition!
This guitar is made entirely from local woods. For the back and sides, oak planted 600 years ago and cut in 1720 was used, in reference to that used for the cathedral's framework. The top is made of Jura spruce, the neck of flamed maple from Alsace, the fingerboard is made of alizier torminal and the bridge of boxwood.
The rose window is an exact reproduction to 1/100th of that of the south facade of the cathedral.
To create this illusion, no less than 100 pieces of colored stained glass were needed.
On the head of the handle is represented the Stryge, a famous chimera resulting from the neo-Gothic work of the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. The horns and wings are made of yellow mother-of-pearl and abalone.
The heel of the handle welcomes the inlay of one of the 21 bells of the cathedral, the bell "Gabriel". This choice is a nod to my first name, derived from it.
The neck heel design is inspired by the buttresses of Gothic flying buttresses that support the walls of the cathedral. Its angular shape in no way hinders the ergonomics of the game, but on the contrary facilitates access to acute.
The inside of the case is plated in 22 carat gold leaf to recall the richness of the interior ornaments of the cathedral. Also, when the light passes through the rosette, a kaleidoscope of colors is reflected on the interior gilding, visible through the side openings.
The back bracing of the guitar was built respecting the geometry of the plan of the spire collapsed during the fire. And the format of the table dam is unique. It has been acoustically perfected while taking into account the constraints imposed by the shape of the side vents and the size of the closed rosette.
Inside the body is a sculpted reconstruction of the main entrance of the cathedral, the portal of the Last Judgment.
Finally, an enchanting mystery resides at the heart of the crate: Quasimodo, the hero of Victor Hugo's novel, Notre-Dame de Paris, remains concealed in the depths of the instrument. Like a literary wink, this presence gives a bewitching dimension to this exceptional guitar.
Gabin Graff, a passionate and talented luthier, established his workshop in Alsace ten years ago. Specializing in handcrafted guitars, he combines traditional know-how with contemporary creativity to fashion exceptional instruments.
His career reached new heights when he made it to the finalists the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition in 2022, highlighting his remarkable mastery mastery of the art of lutherie. With meticulous attention to detail, Gabin Graff continues his musical journey, leaving a harmonious imprint in the world of music.