1889 Vicente Arias SP/CSAR

Built by Vicente Arias in 1889, while he was still working in Ciudad Real, this extremely well-preserved spruce and CSA rosewood guitar has the enormous power his best instruments are known for.

In the video above, Eric Henderson performs his own composition "Bachiana" on this guitar.

An 1889 Vicente Arias from Ciudad Real

Its label reads "Vicente Arias – Constructor de guitarras en Ciudad Real – 1889", from the years before his move to Madrid and the medal-covered labels of his later work. Arias experimented constantly – no two plantillas or bracing systems were quite the same – but his guitars are prized for a consistently beautiful quality of tone, and this one is simply exquisite for its sound.

Sound and Power

Every note is rich in overtones, yet it retains an almost unbelievable degree of separation and clarity between voices. Due to its ultra-lightweight build, the production of sound is immediate, with plenty of tonal modulation and dynamic range. This guitar also boasts enormous power, which will immediately put to rest any rumor that old guitars don't have much sound!

Restoration

It has been restored: several cracks throughout the body have been expertly repaired, mainly with glue and manuscript paper. One crack is spliced, and there are five cleats under the top. The pegs have been replaced with mechanical pegs for ease of use. Overall, an expressive and impressive instrument from one of the most enigmatic builders in the "canon" of the great historical makers of the past 150 years.

Vicente Arias (1833–1914): The Forgotten Luthier

Vicente Arias is one of the most intriguing yet shadowy giants in the history of guitar making. Very little is known about his life, and his guitars are rarely seen today, yet among players and collectors they carry a mystique and a standing matched by few makers of his era. For the most current research on him, we highly recommend Camino Verde's book Vicente Arias 1833–1914: The Forgotten Luthier.

From Ciudad Real to Madrid

His labels trace his career. In the 1880s he signed himself "Constructor de guitarras en Ciudad Real"; by the early 1900s he was in Madrid, first at Calle de las Huertas 29 and later at Santa Isabel 20. His Madrid labels proudly display the medals he won at competitions in Brussels, Madrid and Barcelona – a sign that he was likely a well-known name in his own time – and several of his most famous contemporaries, including Francisco Tárrega, played his guitars.

Rosettes, Experiments and a Legendary Sound

Arias never settled on a single design: his plantillas, bracing and degree of ornamentation varied greatly from guitar to guitar. His rosettes and inlay work are among the most discussed and admired in today's guitar-making community for their elegant, original designs and masterful execution. Arias guitars are still played by leading performers such as Stefano Grondona, David Jacques, Raphaella Smits and Javier Riba.