2012 German Vazquez Rubio "Torres" SP/MP

This is a beautiful instrument made by G.V. Rubio, here in California. It's a very deluxe, highly ornamented tribute to "Antonio de Torres". The central mosaic in the rosette is one of German's designs but he uses it as Torres would have for the head inlay as well. Checkerboard purflings are used in the head veneer, top, back, rosette and in the wings of the bridge, where they create a rectangular frame surrounding dumbbell-shaped bone inlays (again, a tribute to Torres). German also inlaid his signature MOP logo in the heel cap. Visually this is breathtaking, showing off German's finest woodworking skills. Materials are also from his most select woods - an aged, bearclaw-rich spruce soundboard and flamed maple for the back and sides with a deep "3D" texture to it. The sound is extremely responsive and open, with plenty of volume and character. German has inlaid a piece of cedar on the inside of the back (similar to the Manuel Contreras "double top" design) which adds both reinforcement to the box (improving volume and projection) as well as additional warmth and thickness to the sound. The resulting trebles are full yet clear and the basses are deep and rich. Although a used guitar, this was recently re-visited by GV Rubio where it was touched up to almost "like-new" condition, including a brand-new set of Schaller GrandTune frictionless machines. Only one small ding behind the bridge would betray any signs of previous use. Overall, a lovely guitar for sound and a timeless, elegant and well-executed design.

German Vazquez Rubio (also known as G.V. Rubio) has been making guitars for over fifty years and has developed his own signature sound that guitarists have come to love. He was born in 1952 in Paracho, Mexico where there is an abundance of fine luthiers (with few exceptions all of the finest guitars in Mexico come from Paracho). German's first formal training began at eleven years old when he left school to help support his seven siblings and work for his uncle Manuel Rubio at his workshop. There even at his young age he made a conscious effort to make guitar building his life's work. In 1968 at the age of sixteen he made his first concert level guitar (hence his label reads 'desde 1968"). German has since been able to learn from many different master builders such as Felix Manzanero, Jose Romanillos and Thomas Humphrey. He now resides in Los Angeles, California where he builds a variety of both classical and flamenco models.