signed vintage Manzanero classical guitar Madrid made

 Greetings from Jerry Roberts in Nashville TN
Up for Sale is a signed 1972 Classical guitar built by legendary luthier Felix Manzanero in Madrid, Spain. Year of construction: 1972*****
Scale: 656mm*****
Back & sides wood: solid rosewood (straight grain,  not highly figured, not Brazilian, maybe  E. Indian, maybe other South American rosewood)*****
Soundboard wood: western red cedar*****
Tuning gears: Fusteros*****
 All original finish, overall excellent condition, but not new looking.*****
Recent minor restoration: While the years have been good to this fine guitar, it did need a little work when it came into my possession. I have years of experience in dealing with collectible/museum quality guitars. I have work done on these guitars only by the very best luthiers available, namely Steven Kakos in  MN. He has repaired a tiny crack by the fretboard, did a complete fret job, reglued loose back braces and has made  this guitar the best best it can be while preserving originality.
Characteristics: This instrument is typical of Manzanero’s finest work. Construction is very light, as light as some flamencos. Fan bracing is a light parallel 5-fan pattern, very responsive.***** Please see my little article reprinted at the end of this description regarding Student models VS actual Madrid made instruments.
For more photos please email me at jmr19233@flash.net and mention classical guitar in the subject line.
Packing, insurance and UPS ground shipping to most US locations is $69 & up.
Anyone wanting to bid from outside the USA, please get in touch early and I will consider your request based on your eBay history, etc. If approved I can add you to a list of bidders allowed to bid from outside the US.  Please see my feedback and bid with confidence.
 Happy bidding!









    I can offer these words of caution from a five decade veteran of the classical guitar wars. Top Madrid makers, particularly Ramirez, Contreras, Manzanero, Rozas & Bernabe,  have long sold “student models” as well as finer guitars made in their own shops.  Typically these "guitarras de estudio" are made by the lowest bidder in one of several good economy guitar workshops in Valencia. These shops, such as Esteve, Raimundo,  Alhambra,  might  have 50 employees.  Quality varies anywhere  from factory to handmade depending on price. Used street values starting around $500 US in 2008.  Guitars made  by these firms for the Madrid school makers usually share these characteristics:
1) Shape carved into the end of the peghead differs from
guitars actually made in the Madrid shops. Makers save their trademark shape for their own output.
2) Often no year of construction on the label.
3) No signature on label.
4) Label sometimes say “Estudio”  or “Guitarreria”or some other telltale phrase.
5) Usually has a model #, Signed Madrid made models did not always have a model, especially before 1990’s
6) Do not have the same chance of appreciation as a signed  instrument actually made by the maker named on the label.
    In my opinion these fine Madrid makers are not trying to deceive anyone, but rather to get a slice of the market share in the entry level to medium price range. However many shoppers new to the classical guitar market have no way of knowing the difference without the advice of a seasoned expert. Also some owners of these guitars often either knowingly or unknowingly try to convince prospective buyers that the guitar was a Madrid made instrument.
Many buyers acquire these guitars thinking they have bought the real thing, only to be disappointed when they find out thy did not buy the real thing.  While such a guitar is made in Spain, and is marketed by the maker named on the label, it is not MADE by the maker on the label. Guitars labeled Esteve, Raimundo, Alhambra, and other  good makers from the Valencian  province are for the most part a good value. When they bear the label of the actual shop that made them, they are available at a lower price than those made under contract for the Madrid school makers.  In short, seek out the advice of an experienced expert before parting with your hard earned cash. I have photos of the pegheads etc. of most Madrid school makers and would be glad to email you a photo from my files if you are looking at a guitar and are not sure if you are seeing  a "real" Madrid made guitar or an "Estudio".   Please feel free to be in touch with any further questions.

thanks
Jerry Roberts   jmr19233@flash.net
when sending an email,  please mention classical guitar in the subject line.