The late Gerundino Fernandez (1931-2006), is considered by many to be one of the best flamenco builders of the latter half of the twentieth century, along with Arcangel Fernandez and Manuel Reyes. His guitars have been played by many top players, most notably Paco Pena, Paco del Gastor, Tomatito, Juan Martin and even Eric Clapton.
Gerundinos from the 1970's are some of the most revered flamenco guitars in history, and rightly so. Few makers have produced such consistently superior instruments. Gerundino’s output was confined to 10 to 12 guitars a year during that decade, nearly every one a masterpiece, nearly all of them spruce- or cedar-top cypress instruments – and most of them played very hard by professionals, leaving them in rough condition today.
A 1970's Gerundino negra is a very rare bird; he made only a handful. One in nearly mint condition is rarer still. This may be, in fact, the only one. That’s because it was held in the Sheldon Urlik collection for many decades, keeping it in pristine condition. It’s beautifully photographed and described on page 160 of his book, A Collection of Fine Spanish Guitars, from Torres to the Present. This is the very same instrument, now available for the next great collection, or anyone desiring one of the most desirable guitars in the flamenco guitar world.
