2005 Rafael Moreno Rodríguez CD/CSAR

This 2005 Rafael Moreno Rodríguez is a cedar and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Granada, Spain, from a maker played by Vicente Coves, Gerardo Núñez and the Habichuelas.

A Three-Piece Back

This guitar has a beautiful back with a narrow piece of Indian rosewood inserted between two pieces of CSA rosewood – one of Rafa's signature touches.

Inside: A Lighter 6-Strut System

The interior of the guitar reveals a lighter 6-strut system, making the top slightly more responsive and playable.

Sound

Volume is excellent without being boomy, and a thick, punchy sound is achieved in all registers – most remarkably in the trebles. This is an exceptional concert guitar and we recommend it highly both for its concert-worthy sound and 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.