1958 Manuel Velazquez SP/CSAR

This is a beautiful early and full-sized concert guitar built by Manuel Velazquez in 1958. It is really amazing to see just how close Velazquez instruments are to Hauser instruments from the same period, not just in appearance but also in style of sound - great clarity and separation between voices, perfect balance and a natural, beautiful, "woody" quality of tone. It has a slightly compact (yet sturdy) build, with a firm sound that is strongly reminiscent of the "teutonic" style as developed by Hermann Hauser I - dense and focused trebles balanced with sturdy basses are the trademark tonal qualities of this style. Playability is very easy thanks to the comfortable shape and contour of the neck. It has one crack in the top that goes all the way through (between the bridge and the foot) that is repaired with a splice on the exterior, supported with one cleat internally. The center seam between the bridge and rosette also has a splice, also inlaid from the exterior. There also appears to be a surface crack in the top fibers of the spruce (and the finish) in the lower bout, bass side that has been glued from the outside and does not go all the way through to the underside. The guitar has also been re-finished, likely many decades ago judging by the dark patina it currently has and from newer wear that has accumulated on the body and the neck. Back and sides have no prior cracks or repairs. Materials selected are also beautiful, including dark, straight-grained CSA rosewood and an aged spruce top with some lovely bearclaw markings througout. This guitar is being sold "as is" and it should be noted that Manuel Velazquez guitars from this period (in better condition) can typically sell in the $15,000-$20,000 range so this is a big opportunity to acquire a guitar which is in concert-ready condition with great sound at a fraction of the normal price. Overall an extremely beautiful instrument by arguably the most important and legendary North American maker to date.