1971 Manuel Reyes SP/CY

This 1971 Manuel Reyes is a spruce and cypress flamenco guitar from Córdoba, Spain, built in the style of the great mid-century flamencos and in excellent condition with no cracks or repairs.

A 1971 Córdoba Flamenco Guitar

This is a very lightweight instrument, very much in the style of the great mid-century flamencos. It's easy to play and has all the richness a guitar needs for solo performance.

Flamenco Sound and Playability

The tone is sweet, beautiful, and lyrical, yet it keeps all the bite and energy of flamenco. Played melodically, it sings like a human voice, and when pushed harder it awakens with a tremendous bark. The strong, voice-like trebles are balanced by a big low end that is full but never boomy. As sweet as the tone is, the guitar still responds aggressively when pushed in the right direction, and rasgueados in particular are explosive and powerful. Playability is super easy, with a soft, comfortable action.

Excellent Vintage Condition

The guitar is in excellent condition, with no cracks or repairs and only modest wear in the finish, which is remarkable for an instrument that has been played for more than half a century.

A Rare Reyes for Players and Collectors

Overall, this is a fantastic find for the most discriminating player or collector seeking a Reyes in such great shape.

The Master of Córdoba

Manuel Reyes of Córdoba (1934–2014) is considered the greatest and most sought-after Andalusian flamenco guitar maker of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. For more than half a century, he was known for his superb workmanship and his authentic Andalusian flamenco sound. He always built his guitars in the heart of Córdoba's old quarter, in the deep south of Spain.

A Legacy in Flamenco

Manuel's guitars have been played by dozens of flamenco professionals around the world, most notably Vicente Amigo and Paco Serrano. By the time of his death, his waiting list for new instruments had been closed for years because of its enormous size.