1978 Miguel Rodríguez RW/HR

This 1978 Miguel Rodríguez is a classical guitar with a redwood top and Honduran rosewood back and sides, made in Córdoba, Spain, during the later period of Miguel Rodríguez Jr. and his son Pepe.

A Classic of Southern Spanish Guitar Making

This is a first-rate instrument from this famous maker and for many people epitomizes the ultimate southern Spanish style of guitar building in the twentieth century. Miguel Rodríguez guitars are played by numerous concert players around the world but most notably – the Romero family, who have been using Miguel Rodríguez guitars since the late 1950s.

Sound and Playability of a 1978 Miguel Rodríguez Classical Guitar

It has enormous power, excellent sustain, very fast attack (like a flamenco), but most importantly a gorgeous and rich quality of sound. In typical Rodríguez fashion, it has a huge bottom-end and punchy trebles, and all notes have a crisp, clear attack with a rich overtone content in every note.

Although built with a slightly longer scale length, this particular instrument is very easy to play for both hands – thanks largely to the comfortable neck shape and easy string tension.

Condition

There are two hairline, repaired cracks in the top, which are invisible from the exterior – done many years ago by Yuris Zeltins. Otherwise condition is excellent.

World-class guitar by any standard – it could be used for recordings or concertizing, either solo or with ensemble, and be a strong presence in any setting.

The Rodríguez Family of Córdoba

The classical and flamenco guitars of Miguel Rodríguez have been the favorite pick of many leading concert artists, most notably all members of the Romero family. In actuality, when speaking of Miguel Rodríguez, one is really making reference to a family of four guitar builders spanning three generations, all working in Córdoba – deep in Andalucía, the region of southern Spain that gave birth to the modern Spanish guitar in the person of Antonio de Torres.

Four Makers, Three Generations

The workshop was founded by Miguel Beneyto Rodríguez (1888–1975, also known as “Miguel Sr.”). His twin sons, Rafael Rodríguez Serrano (1921–1965) and Miguel Rodríguez Serrano (1921–1998, also known as “Miguel Jr.”), worked alongside him, followed by Miguel Jr.’s son, José Rodríguez Álamo (1949–1996, also known as “Pepe”). The guitars of Miguel Sr. were lightly built and small-to-medium-bodied, with a very expressive, lyrical and singing quality to the sound and overwhelming projection. As the twins rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, the guitars evolved into a more consistent, streamlined style with larger bodies, still quite lightweight. The later period of Miguel Jr. and Pepe (1970s–1998) – the time of the “Churchdoor” and the decorated “Centenario” guitars – is perhaps the best known, with longer scales, deeper bodies and an even lighter bracing system, yet always with a fast, flamenco-like response and a warm, romantic and soulful Spanish character.

Miguel Rodríguez Guitars and the Romero Family

All members of the Romero family have performed on these instruments for decades, and their own artistic development and expression are immutably linked to them – a lifelong relationship that wrote one of the great chapters in the history of the guitar. As Pepe Romero has told us, “What the jet engine did for aviation, the Rodríguez family did for the guitar.” You can read more in our article on the Rodríguez family of guitar makers.