Neck: Cedro
Fingerboard: Ebony
Finish (Top): Shellac
Finish (Back & Sides): Shellac
Tuning Machines: GOTOH
String Height (1st): 3.0mm
String Height (6th): 3.7mm

[Profile]
Born in Madrid, Spain in 1931, he began his career—as was common among guitar makers of his generation—as a cabinetmaker. He also studied guitar performance under Daniel Fortea, a distinguished disciple of Francisco Tárrega, and achieved recognition in competitions, showing considerable talent as a guitarist. Around 1947, he began building guitars for his own use and, during this time, received valuable advice on construction from Matilde Ruiz, the widow of Santos Hernández. Aside from this guidance, however, he was largely self-taught. In 1949, he established his own workshop, producing guitars of outstanding quality firmly rooted in the Madrid tradition.

From 1971, he also collaborated for several years with Hernández y Aguado, contributing to the construction of instruments under their name. Renowned as a scholar as well as a luthier, he studied and collected historical masterpieces, creating highly refined replica models alongside his original designs. His instruments are admired not only for their tonal qualities but also for their exceptional craftsmanship and elegant design—praised by some as surpassing even Romanillos in precision and refinement. Throughout his life, he produced over 1,000 guitars, including his own original models, Torres models (drawing on his experience restoring the famous La Leona of 1856), Aguado-inspired instruments, and Santos Hernández models that hark back to his earliest influences. He passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of artistry and scholarship.

[Description]
This guitar appears to take inspiration from a Torres design other than La Leona, yet it clearly reflects the maker’s deep engagement with and pride in that legendary instrument, which he had restored and studied in detail. The back and sides are crafted from beautifully lustrous mahogany, while the soundboard is cedar—a relatively rare choice for this maker. The result is a refined, mellow tone of great warmth and subtlety, imbuing the instrument with an old-world character.

True to his reputation for deep historical knowledge and individual craftsmanship, the maker favored giving each guitar its own distinctive character, and this Torres-inspired model is no exception.

The instrument shows numerous playing marks, scratches, and dings consistent with age and use. However, the neck and frets remain in good condition with no issues affecting playability. The tuning machines have been replaced with Gotoh units.

Performance video

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