2012 Arturo Sanzano "Concierto" SP/IN

Arturo Sanzano Moreno started his career in 1963 as an apprentice with José Ramirez III in Madrid, Spain where he remained until 1984. The guitars he up until 1971 had his "AS" stamp on the inside of the heel. He went on to have collaborations with several other luthiers over the years including Mariano Tezanos Castro ("Moreno y Castro") and with with Miguel Molero and also Alfredo Gregori.

His work is known for creatively re-thinking the traditional guitar both structurally and aesthetically, and this guitar is an excellent example of both. The soundboard is very lightly braced - there is a thin strip of wood running the entire length of the center seam with two "curved" cedar braces just above and below the soundhole, and a fifth curved brace near the foot. This adds great structural strength to the top but at the same opens up a very large open area for it to vibrate efficiently and uninterrupted. The sound is additionally distributed up and down the top by two thin pieces of cedar that are attached to the tops of the 5 curved braces, one on the bass side, the other on the treble, both running from the foot to the top of the upper bout. Design-wise he has borrowed elements from pre-Torres styled instruments (of which he was also known to build) with inlays in the head and rosette that are baroque-like flourishes, and the bridge has a unique design that narrows towards either end and inlaid with white dots in the rosewood wings and black dots in the tie-block.

Setup is easy for both hands and even with it's unique design elements, still boasts that bold, deep "Madrid" sound known so well to all classical guitar aficionados and players around the globe. Condition is excellent with only very minor wear. These guitars appear rarely on the market so this is a great opportunity to own a great-sounding guitar by one of Madrid's veteran builders, in excellent condition.