Description
Manuel Rodriguez is an amazing luthier – his life story is as interesting as his guitars, which are built to highest standarts. Many famous musician and even Holywood icons ordered guitars from him.
Manuel Rodríguez Sr (1926-2008) learned his craft from his father, himself a constructor of flamenco and classical guitars. In 1939, he went to work for Jose Ramirez. In 1945 he began moonlighting, making his own guitars at home.
In 1955, he finally opened his own workshop in Madrid.
In 1959 was a big change in his career and he decided to move to Los Angeles, California, where he opening a workshop at 10400 Willshire Blvd. In Los Angeles he conducted research together with engineers at UCLA to improve the design of bracings, frets, tie-blocks, etc.
During his time in Hollywood he was making guitars for professionals, Hollywood actors, teachers, and students. He became famous and his guitars got an international reputation.
In 1973, he moved back to Madrid and opened a shop at calle Hortaliza.
In 1991, he opened a factory in Almansa, Albacete to produce a full line of Manuel Rodriguez guitars. In 1994, the factory moved to Illescas, Toledo.
Beside all this he continued to make handmade guitars of highest quality until 2008. His handmade highend guitars, like the one we offer here, had a recommended retail price of $35999.
In many shops they have been sold for more than 20000 USD over the last years.
Beside all this Manuel Rodriguez is also author of some books, where he describes his experiences of building guitars.
This guitar was 100% handmade in Madrid, Spain, by the master himself, Manuel Rodriguez Sr. It is a display of the finest woods and craftsmanship available. The top is solid alpine spruce, while the back and sides are the most visually stunning Rosewood.
The rosewood was hand selected from Manuel’s private stock and has a history as rich as its appearance and tone. The wood was cut in 1936 following the Spanish Revolution and has been naturally drying since.
Manuel Rodriguez Sr. only built two of these remarkable instruments a year and because of the scarcity and unique character of the woods, no two can, or will ever look the same. This guitar represents both mother nature and craftsmen at their finest.
The scale lengths is 650 mm and the nut width 52 mm.
This guitar has a powerful and responsive sound, with brilliant trebles and deep, round basses. The notes are rich in harmonics, the timbre is deep and of great beauty.
Perhaps among the most powerful of the Madrid instruments, this guitar also has a very elegant, lyrical voice with a very rich and thick quality of tone across all registers. At the same time it is very clear and balanced – very impressive, with a huge bite at the attack of every note. A very endearing instrument.
This guitar is in very good condition for its age. It plays nice with a low action and a straight neck.
It has been well kept and shows only light wear of play and use, with 2 tiny repairs on the top.
The guitar comes with the original case.
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