1996 José Romanillos "La Pañolera" SP/IN

From the Russell Cleveland collection, this 1996 José Romanillos "La Pañolera" No. 747 is a J. L. Romanillos & Son classical guitar in spruce and Indian rosewood, made in Semley, Wiltshire, England, with the "open harmonic bar" and in near-mint condition.

J. L. Romanillos & Son: José and Liam

José Romanillos established himself as one of the greatest luthiers of the twentieth century. Many leading guitarists have played his instruments – but the best-known champion of these guitars is Julian Bream, who performed on them almost exclusively for much of his career. The label bears José's signature as well as that of his son Liam, who had been partnered in the business since 1991.

Sound and the Romanillos "Open Harmonic Bar"

The instrument has all the qualities of an exceptional guitar: a sweet and lyrical tone with excellent separation, and excellent volume, yet it's almost "noiseless" – string noise and nail noise are absorbed and not amplified, allowing the notes themselves to sound unhindered.

This guitar features Romanillos' well-known "open harmonic bar" – the lower of the two bars has been "opened" to allow the two outermost fans to pass freely through to either side of the rosette, opening up more of the soundboard for transmission of sound.

Detailing and Condition

The detailing on this guitar is stunning, particularly in the tie block, headstock and rosette, which all feature elaborate inlays. The instrument is a bit on the smaller side, very reminiscent of the classic "Torres" style, of which Romanillos is perhaps the greatest exponent. Condition is near-mint. All in, this is a remarkable and breathtaking instrument.

From the Russell Cleveland Collection

This guitar comes from the Russell Cleveland collection and is featured on pages 102–103 of the book "The Classical Guitar – A Complete History".

Orfeo article on José Romanillos

José Luis Romanillos: From Madrid to Semley

José Luis Romanillos Vega (1932–2022) was born in Madrid and at thirteen years of age was apprenticed to a Madrid cabinetmaking firm. In 1956 he moved to England to work in a hospital in Epsom and a few months later in a hospital in London. Five years later he made his first Spanish guitar in London. In 1970 he set up a workshop as a guitar maker in the village of Semley, Wiltshire, encouraged by the English guitarist Julian Bream, and it was here that he built the legendary 1973 guitar that Bream would concertize and record on for many years.

"The Stradivari of the Guitar"

Romanillos guitars have received recognition from guitarists at an international level, including Carlos Bonell, Gilbert Biberian and Antigoni Goni, among many others. The British "Daily Mail" called him "the Stradivari of the guitar" and the Italian magazine "Sei Corde" "the most important living stringed instrument maker".

Author and Teacher

In 1995 he retired from full-time guitar building and moved to Guijosa, Spain – a rural district annexed to Sigüenza, in the northern part of the province of Guadalajara. He published several important books, including his biography and study of Antonio de Torres and a dictionary of stringed musical instrument makers and guitar makers of Spain titled "The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar". He also famously and tirelessly gave courses and lectures on Spanish guitar making in numerous countries. José Luis Romanillos died in Sigüenza on February 12, 2022.