Guitar Salon International - New Products

Jeffrey Elliott SP/CSAR

Fri, 03 Feb 12 18:19:00 -0500

Jeffrey Elliott's 12 year wait-list has been closed for many years now due to the overwhelming worldwide demand for his instruments. So we are pleased at this very rare opportunity to have acquired and offer one of his guitars here at GSI. His aesthetic (both tonally and visually) is unmatched and in our opinion, this instrument is an example that confirms his reputation as one of most unique, classy and timeless of contemporary luthiers. Elliott's work is extremely refined and all matters of detail are perfectly executed. Custom-built to our specs, this guitar features the unique and beautiful chip-carved rosette with amboyna burl in place of a mosaic. If you look closely, you'll notice some small, circular brass inlays, and one larger one of blue-green abalone, encircled in a thin brass ring. This is Elliott's "tip-of-the-hat" to the awe and wonder he has experienced while contemplating the beautiful Hubble space images of stars being born from giant galactic nebulae. Another distinguishing characteristic is the headstock shape (and extremities of the custom Rodgers tuners) which to our eyes resembles the maple leaf, symbolic of this guitar's birthplace in the Pacific Northwest. Finally, the entire neck, heel and head are made from a single piece of Spanish cedar, with rosewood veneers on either side of the head. The sound of course is lush and full with great clarity in all voices - it has the grandeur of Hauser and the beauty of Torres, yet carries the distinct sound of its builder at the same time. It is no wonder that his clientele include the likes of Julian Bream, Ralph Towner, Leo Kottke, Jonathan Leathwood, Dick Weissman, Earl Klugh, and Burl Ives, just to name a few.

Photos taken during this guitar's construction

Antonio Raya Pardo SP/CY

Fri, 03 Feb 12 16:46:48 -0500

Although born in Jaen, luthier Antonio Raya Pardo has lived in Granada since childhood, and is now one of the most important names in the Granada school of guitar making. After establishing his own workshop in the early 1970s, he has since gone on to become a prolific maker. With nearly 600 guitars under his belt to date, Raya Pardo is certainly one of the more experienced luthiers alive today.

He is a maker who is at home both with classical and flamenco guitars. This vintage 1977 (with old-style "pomegranite" head shape) flamenca blanca's sound is truly impressive, crisp and penetrating with soulful Granada flair. Condition is very good with only some mild playing wear in the finish. Some finish work has been done to the top, and the tap plates have been replaced at some point. A very capable player's guitar, and a fantastic value.

A hardshell case is included with this guitar.

Daniel Friederich SP/IN

Fri, 27 Jan 12 19:05:00 -0500

Friederich is the most collectible living maker of classical guitars in the world today, and has also become widely regarded as one of the most significant builders of the 20th century. His guitars are becoming increasingly rare due to his declining production with the passing of each year. This particular guitar, built in 1971, represents Friederich at the peak of his great spruce-top period. The tone is like soft, fine silk, with controlled and balanced layers of overtones stacked on the crystal-clear fundamental. It has an almost cathedral-like presence, which gives it plenty of power for any concert hall â�� the quantity of sound is huge with great projection, reminiscent of the style found in the great Fletas of the 50s and 60s. These instruments are becoming some of the most prized among collectors, but they are also being played by top concert artists worldwide. For both sound, and collectability, this is an extremely desirable example by this legendary maker.

Bernd Martin SP/MP

Fri, 27 Jan 12 18:55:00 -0500

In 1976, German-born luthier Bernd Martin moved to Granada, Spain to master the art of guitar making. He apprenticed in the workshops of Antonio DurÃ¡n and Jose Lopez Bellido, and also received the tutelage of Eduardo Ferrer. Bernd was the first (of many) non-Spaniards to establish himself as a guitar maker in the city of the Alhambra, with a workshop in the AlbayzÃn district. In 1999 he won first prize in the â��Concurso Nacional de Lutheriaâ�� (National Luthiery Competition) organized by J. L. Romanillos. GSI is pleased to be the exclusive US representative for Bernd Martin and his son Lucas Martin.

This guitar is a perfect example of what makes the "Granada style" so attractive to the most meticulous of players - it is easy to play for both left and right hand; has quick response across all registers; excellent volume and projection, and perhaps most importantly - a beautiful, lyrical quality of sound. Finally, crafstmanship and materials are superb - the birds-eye maple for the back and sides is absolutely stunning, as is his generous use of snakewood not just in the decorative elements but also for the fingerboard! This is a feast for the eye as well as the ear.

Luthier Bio: Bernd & Lucas Martin

Jose Ramirez "Elite" SP/CSAR

Thu, 26 Jan 12 19:29:00 -0500

Ramirez makes very few of these guitars, and we are lucky if we get one or two in a year. Very similar to the 1a Tradicional model, this guitar uses precious materials from previous generations. The workmanship is exquisite with great attention to detail. For the player or collector who is looking for the best of the best.

For more information on Ramirez, be sure to read The Ramirez Family: Masters of the Guitar, as well as information on the Ramirez family members, from Amalia Ramirez back to Jose I.

Jose Ramirez "1aF" SP/CY

Thu, 26 Jan 12 19:24:00 -0500

This guitar is the top-of-the-line flamenco model from the esteemed RamÃrez workshop which is suitable for both performance on a concert stage and for traditional flamenco playing with dancers and percussionists. It is a very lively instrument with excellent playability and volume; and has an authentic Spanish sound with a lot of bite, making it one of our favorite choices for the serious flamenco guitarist. A hardshell case is included with this guitar.

For more information on Ramirez, be sure to read The Ramirez Family: Masters of the Guitar, as well as information on the Ramirez family members, from Amalia Ramirez back to Jose I.

Jose Ramirez "1aF" CD/CY

Thu, 26 Jan 12 19:19:00 -0500

This guitar is the top-of-the-line flamenco model from the esteemed Ramirez workshop which is suitable for both performance on a concert stage and for traditional flamenco playing with dancers and percussionists. It is a very lively instrument with excellent playability and volume; and has an authentic Spanish sound with a lot of bite, making it one of our favorite choices for the serious flamenco guitarist. This guitar has a cedar top which although rare for flamencos, gives the guitar extra volume and a deeper mid-range. Manolo Sanlucar is perhaps the most well known flamenco guitarist to play a Ramirez cedar-top.

For more information on Ramirez, be sure to read The Ramirez Family: Masters of the Guitar, as well as information on the Ramirez family members, from Amalia Ramirez back to Jose I.

Jose Ramirez "2a" CD/CSAR

Mon, 23 Jan 12 14:00:00 -0500

This guitar was built in the famous workshop of Jose Ramirez III, which produced instruments used by countless professional guitarists of all genres from Sting to Segovia, Chet Atkins to Sabicas and Lee Ritenour to Christopher Parkening. It is very easy to play, with a lovely neck and easy action, despite the way many of the guitars from this period were set up. The tone is thick yet clear, and has that essential warm, mysterious and moody quality that made Ramirez famous. It features beautiful materials and is in great condition for its age - only one hairline crack in the back which was expertly repaired, and a small filled area that was used previously for an end pin. An excellent example of a fine Ramirez for the active concert player or recording artist.

A hardshell case is included with this guitar.

For more information on Ramirez, be sure to read The Ramirez Family: Masters of the Guitar, as well as information on the Ramirez family members, from Amalia Ramirez back to Jose I.

Juan Fernandez SP/CY

Mon, 23 Jan 12 13:44:00 -0500

Juan Fernandez is a relatively new builder from Granada, having learned guitar making from Rafael Moreno Rodriguez, Juan Miguel Carmona and JesÃºs LÃ³pez MartÃn. The guitars of the legendary Miguel Rodriguez workshop of Cordoba are a major influence on Juan Fernandez' style, and one can detect this in the sound and playability of the instrument. This guitar is very easy to play, thanks in part to great action and a comfortable neck. The sound is very open, the attack is brilliant and crisp, basses are full and trebles are biting. The guitar boasts big volume, and along with a beautiful tone full of character, make this guitar easily suitable for concert performances. Fitted with the machined "Planetary pegs" for the old-world look but with modern convenience for tuning. A fantastic value for a concert flamenco deeply rooted in the Granada school of building.

Luigi Locatto "1884 Torres SE 60" SP/CSAR

Mon, 23 Jan 12 13:33:00 -0500

Luigi Locatto has been building guitars for the last 25 years out of Turin, in northern Italy. In addition to making guitars, he is also a guitarist and teacher. His artisty as a luthier has attracted several top collectors for restoration work which has allowed him access to some of the most prized vintage instruments in the world. His restoration work has prompted him to build replicas of many instruments, and he has made copies of Panormo, Lacote, Simplicio, Garcia, Torres, Fleta, Hauser and Ramirez. He credits Torres, Garcia and Simplicio in particular as his most important influences. Although his foundation in style is rooted in these traditional makers, particularly with regard to tone color and expression, he is at the same time attentive to contemporary concerns, primarily in ensuring that his instruments have the improved power, projection and balance that modern concert artists require.

This particular guitar that we are now offering is a near-exact copy of an 1884 Torres (SE 60) that Luigi has personally inspected and evaluated (the only difference being the use of a two-piece rather than three-piece back). It has a very low body resonance (close to E natural) that produces a sound that is powerful, dark and beautiful. It is an expressive instrument, rich with color and sensitive to change of timbre, like the old Spanish guitars he so much loves. His instruments are played by a large number of concert artists, and have been used on several recordings, most notably the Naxos release of Castelnuovo-Tedesco's works by Lorenzo Micheli (winner of GFA 1999), and of Shin-ichi Fukuda's 2007 recording of Barrios and Villa-Lobos for Meister Music. We're very happy to be working with this fine maker and representing his instruments in the US.

Photos taken during this guitar's construction