2001 Rafael Moreno Rodríguez "Sueño" SP/CSAR (ex Pepe Romero)

This 2001 Rafael Moreno Rodríguez "Sueño" (No. 157) is a spruce and CSA rosewood concert classical guitar from Granada, Spain, built for and played in concert by Pepe Romero, who signed a letter confirming its history.

Made for Pepe Romero

This particular example was made for and owned by Pepe Romero. In his letter of December 8, 2013 (see the gallery), Pepe writes that the guitar "bears a dedication to me inside the back of the guitar signed by the maker," and that he has performed concerts on it and enjoyed it immensely.

Inspired by a 19th-Century Joaquín Ruiz

"Sueño" ("Dream") is the name Rafa gave his flagship model. Many years ago a guitar by the 19th-century maker Joaquín Ruiz came to his workshop for restoration; he was so taken with its craftsmanship and style that he borrowed some of its decorative ideas for this model, in tribute to the memory of that instrument and its maker.

Inlay Work and Period Details

On the back, a thick, multi-band purfling gathers at the heel and the foot, then breaks apart into interlacing lines that fill a wide maple strip running the length of the back. The sheer virtuosity required to execute this level of craftsmanship has rarely been matched in the last 100 years of guitar construction, and it is truly impressive. It is also fitted with a 19th-century period-style bridge, and the headstock is carved in the shape of a pomegranate – the fruit that gives Granada its name. The materials are first rate, including some exquisite CSA rosewood with green/blue hues in the sides.

Sound

Overall, this represents Rafa at his most creative. It has the characteristic sound of his guitars – big volume without being boomy and a crisp, rich sound across all registers. This is an exceptional concert guitar and we recommend it highly, for its concert-worthy sound as much as for its refined, unique workmanship.

Read more: Orfeo Magazine No. 8 – The Granada School

Rafael Moreno Rodríguez: Classical and Flamenco Guitar Maker of Granada

Rafael Moreno Rodríguez (b. 1954) – "Rafa" to everyone in Granada – began making guitars at the early age of 12 under the watchful eyes of Manuel López Bellido and Antonio Marín Montero, and in those early years he also studied with Eduardo Ferrer, often called the "teacher of teachers" of the Granada school. Although unrelated to Miguel Rodríguez of Córdoba, he counts Rodríguez's guitars among his strongest influences, along with those of Santos Hernández and Benito Ferrer. After his apprenticeship he opened his own shop on the famous Cuesta de Gomérez below the Alhambra, where he stayed until 2000; since then he has worked at Jesús y María 10.

One Level of Guitar, Built Entirely by Hand

Rafa works alone and refuses to hurry. He builds every guitar from scratch – down to the bone nut and saddle, carved by hand – mostly from CSA rosewood, spruce and cedar that he bought, cut and cured himself, and he makes only one level of instrument. His classical and flamenco guitars have been played by Pepe and Celin Romero, Vicente Coves, Gerardo Núñez, Juan and Pepe Habichuela and the late flamenco singer Enrique Morente, among many others.