1993 Abel García (supervised by José Romanillos) "1912 Manuel Ramírez ex Segovia" SP/IN

This 1993 Abel García is a classical guitar with a spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, modeled on the 1912 Manuel Ramírez of Andrés Segovia and built in Córdoba, Spain, during the summer 1993 Córdoba Guitar Festival under the supervision of José Luis Romanillos.

A Rare Romanillos Masterclass Guitar from Córdoba

We certainly don't see instruments like this very often – this is a very rare treat! It was built in Córdoba, Spain by one of Mexico's top builders – Abel García – under the direction and supervision of the late and great José Luis Romanillos, during one of his famous masterclasses that inspired a generation of younger makers, many of whom have become today's leading luthiers.

Modeled on Segovia's 1912 Manuel Ramírez

This instrument is modeled on the famous 1912 Manuel Ramírez (built by Santos Hernández) that Andrés Segovia performed on for the first 25 years of his career – one of the most iconic instruments in history, the original now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Sound and Condition

This guitar has been played A LOT – as can be seen by the (respectful) wear throughout the finish. And it sounds like it too – it is very open, played-in and loose, with a rich and warm sound, very textured and velvety, with great volume and clarity. It is also in great structural and performance-ready condition – apart from the already-mentioned aesthetic wear in the finish, it does have one repaired crack in the soundboard (spliced and reinforced internally with 2 cleats) and a glued crack in the fingerboard.

A Snapshot of 20th-Century Guitar-Making History

Abel has been friends for many years with the Romero family, who have played his instruments and promoted them to their students as an excellent value for a professionally made concert-level guitar. But this particular guitar is really a fun find – guitars built in these historic Romanillos masterclasses rarely surface like this. The label is signed by both Abel García and José Romanillos, making this a unique, one-of-a-kind guitar that is a snapshot from a very important part of 20th-century guitar-making history.

Abel García: A Master Builder from Paracho, Mexico

Abel García is one of the most respected contemporary guitar makers of Paracho, the small town in the Mexican state of Michoacán that has been the heart of Mexican guitar-making for generations. His work was featured in Orfeo Magazine No. 20, an issue devoted to the luthiers of Paracho.

Studies with José Luis Romanillos

Abel took part in the masterclasses of José Luis Romanillos, including the one held in Córdoba, Spain, in the summer of 1993 – a formative experience shared by a whole generation of makers who went on to become leading luthiers.

A Friend of the Romero Family

Abel's guitars are well known to the Romeros. Pepe Romero and Angel Romero have both owned and played Abel García guitars in concert, and the family has recommended his instruments to their students as concert-level guitars of excellent value. For one commission, Abel was able to inspect and measure Pepe's own 1856 Antonio de Torres at his home, and built him a guitar based on it.