1973 Miguel Rodriguez "Churchdoor" CD/CSAR

The "Churchdoor" instruments are the prized collectors' pieces for aficionados, fans and admirers of Miguel Rodriguez Jr., who built this instrument. They are immediately recognizable for their unique look – the grain patterns in the back and sides contrast between very strong yellow colored sapwood to the darker, browner heartwood, giving rise to a very dramatic and swirling texture. Although the instruments featuring these distinctive sets of wood have lovingly been called "Churchdoor" guitars over the years, the origin of this name is still buried in legend, some insist that the wood was obtained from a centuries-old door of an old Andalucian church, while others prefer the more symbolic meaning that refers to the sound as having a large, powerful, cathedral-like presence. Either reference in spirit is true once one has had the opportunity to appreciate and experience the aesthetic beauty of the materials and the quality of sound of these great instruments. This particular instrument dates from the same year as Pepe Romero's 1973, named "La Wonderful", and was originally owned by the Seville-based flamenco singer Naranjito de Triana until his death only a few years ago.

Perhaps the first thing one notices about these is the incredible amount of power that is produced with the slightest amount of playing effort. One of Miguel Jr.'s great historical contributions to the art of guitar making was how, through slight modifications of the traditional Torres model (for example in the proportions of the box, the doming, bracing and thicknessing of the top, etc.) he created an instrument with an enormous amount of potential energy built into it. The resulting guitars are therefore explosive, powerful, and yet at the same time they retain the elegance, charm and beauty of the traditional sound. As Pepe Romero has aptly said "What the jet engine did for aviation, the Rodriguez family did for the guitar." This guitar is truly a masterpiece in every way - visually, sonically and for playability.