2022 Michael Cadiz "Torres/Romanillos" SP/AR

This guitar is a beautifully-made and lovely tribute to two great makers - in aesthetic detail to the late Jose Romanillos and in sound, to the legendary Antonio de Torres. The dimensions and proportions of the guitar are taken from the 1888 Torres, SE 114 ex Francisco Tarrega but slightly enlarged. It has a full sound with ample clarity between voices with excellent balance across the entire register. Playability is easy with a sleek, comfortable neck and it projects beautifully making it ideal for any sized concert hall. Materials are well-chosen including some beautiful African rosewood for the sides and back. Michael’s craftsmanship is superb – the “fit and finish” of the instrument is done with meticulous attention to detail. Although second-hand, it is in like-new condition. Overall a fantastic instrument, particularly at this price point.

Luthier Michael Cadiz started out his guitar life early on as a player - he spent time studying at the Chicago College of Performing Arts with Sergio Assad, the Conservatoire National de Region de Clermont-Ferrand in France with Jean-Pierre Billet and privately in Seattle with Michael Nicolella. He has performed in many small chamber ensembles, master classes and was a prizewinner in the Northwest Classical Guitar Competition. He has also played the guitar with a handful of local folk/rock bands that have recorded and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. However his deep calling is in lutherie and for the past several years has been the dedicated focus of his journey with the guitar and he has been building a variety of exceptionally well-made instruments based primarily on traditional designs of Torres. Romanillos and Hauser are also strong influences.