David "Jose" Rubio is well-known for the classical guitars he built for Julian Bream in the 1960s, for his "Brahms" model played by Paul Galbraith (and other members of the Brazilian Guitar Quartet) and later, after he relocated back in the UK, for building a wide-ranging host of other stringed instruments including lutes, harpsichords, violins, violas and cellos. But re-winding the clock back to his early origins in the guitar world, we find him immersed in flamenco - indeed he was a flamenco player who accompanied dancers and singers, and had early in his career been touring with a Spanish flamenco troup which brought him to New York, where he settled and established himself as a guitar maker.
So although a flamenco player himself, he built very few flamenco guitars, making this instrument a very rare find. But we can absolutely attest that this instrument is as "flamenco" as it gets. Built his last year in New York while still using the name "Jose" Rubio on his labels, this amazing guitar has an ultra-lightweight build (not typical of his heavier-built classicals), lightning-fast response, and raspy flamenco sound, which make this a stellar instrument all around. Playability is a breeze with low, flamenco action. Condition for its age is amazing - no cracks or repairs, original pegs and finish... this is really an incredible instrument!
