1991 Miguel Rodríguez "Centenario" SP/CSAR

This 1991 Miguel Rodríguez “Centenario” is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Córdoba, Spain – one of the decorated Centenario guitars built by Miguel Rodríguez Jr. and his son Pepe in the 1990s, with its original finish.

The Miguel Rodríguez “Centenario” Classical Guitar

This is a first-rate instrument from one of the 20th century's most revered workshops – and one of the “Centenario” instruments from Miguel Rodríguez, which feature not only the finest of materials but additional inlay in the rosette and purfling. These instruments are played by numerous concert players around the world, most notably the Romero family, who have been using Miguel Rodríguez guitars since the late 1950s.

Sound and Playability

It has enormous power, excellent sustain and very fast attack (like a flamenco). Playability is very easy, not only due to the slender and comfortable neck shape, but also thanks to its shorter scale, which is rare for Rodríguez.

Condition

Apart from some minor playing wear, the guitar is in fantastic condition. Everything except the tuning machines (which have been replaced with a beautiful set of Rodgers) is original, including finish.

Very desirable for its quality (and quantity) of sound, superb playability and unmatched aesthetic beauty – collector and performer alike will find this to be an extremely exciting instrument to own and play.

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.