2012 Rafael Moreno Rodriguez CD/CSAR

Unrelated to Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba, Granada-based builder Rafael Moreno Rodriguez is one of the top contemporary makers from Andalucia. Several top players in Spain perform with these guitars, most noticeably Vicente Coves, Gerardo Nuñez, Juan & Pepe Habichuela, and Enrique Morente among others. This guitar has a beautiful back with a narrow piece of Indian rosewood inserted between two pieces of stunning CSA rosewood, which is over 50 years old. It is fitted with high-grade Rubner tuners from Germany.

The interior of the guitar reveals Moreno Rodriguez' standard lighter 6-strut system but with a twist - the fanning of the struts is "reversed" (so that they become wider as they approach the soundhole, radiating away from the foot). This is a system that Pepe Romero Jr. has been doing exclusively since 2009 (although he does it with 7 fans) after coming into the possession of a rare 1970 Miguel Rodriguez guitar with this very system employed. To our ears, this seems to assist in making the top of this guitar more responsive and looser, yet with more clarity and focus to each note. Volume is also excellent without being boomy and a thick, dark sound is achieved in all registers - most remarkably in the trebles. This is an exceptional concert guitar in this price range and we recommend it highly both for its concert-worthy sound and refined, unique workmanship and aesthetics. Although a used guitar it is in excellent condition with only minor signs of playing wear.

Orfeo Magazine #8 - The Granada School