2023 Richard Reynoso CD/WE

This 2023 Richard Reynoso is a handmade classical guitar with a cedar top and wenge back and sides, built in Los Angeles, California, by one of the finest American makers working in the Spanish tradition – offered pre-owned and in excellent condition.

A Richard Reynoso Cedar and Wenge Classical Guitar

Richard is a guitar maker based out of Los Angeles, California. His instruments are fully traditional in construction design and largely inspired by the great Spanish makers of the past, but they do offer a voice, personality and look that is entirely his own.

This particular instrument, a cedar-top classical with a gorgeous set of wenge back and sides, features his signature carved headstock with matching wenge veneer (which also covers the sides and very top of the head), giving it a very “architecturally” austere appearance which sets the mood for the other matching details throughout.

“Neo-Art Deco” Inlays and Fine Details

Although Richard never replicates the same combination of design elements in more than one guitar, he does consistently use what we have been calling “neo-art deco” motifs throughout, not just with his use of hard and clean, yet graceful lines and curves, but also in his inlay work. (Please see the short video documentary embedded in this page for further demonstration of this.) The back (and foot) center seams, heel block and rosette (which are works of art in themselves) have drawn their inspiration from a variety of sources ranging from art-deco styled chandeliers to ancient Egyptian jewelry. The curvature around the edge of the rosette is notched on either side of the fingerboard to guarantee an extra clean joint where the fingerboard meets the soundhole. Although the guitar is meticulously French polished throughout, Richard now does an oil finish in the playing area on the back of the neck, which gives a much smoother and natural “feel” for left-hand positions, particularly when shifting.

Sound

The sound of this guitar is as bold and solid as its appearance. It has a rich color palette and wide dynamic range. Each note is very dense, with the overtones tightly packed into the firm and well-defined fundamental. There is almost a cathedral-like reverb effect of the sound that emanates from the box, giving the instrument a huge presence – both behind it from the playing position as well as at a distance from a listener’s perspective. This is truly a powerful and versatile performing instrument with a rich, robust and very classy sound.

Condition

Condition is excellent, with three hairline cracks (completely invisible from the outside – one on the top, two in the back) that Richard himself meticulously and conservatively repaired, with some finish touch-up that now makes the guitar look brand-new. GSI is proud to be working with Richard, and we see much talent in the build quality, tone and feel of his guitars.

Orfeo Magazine No. 10 - West Coast Luthiers

Richard Reynoso: From Player to Guitar Maker

Richard Reynoso has been involved with the arts since his youth, having a passion for drawing, music and in particular, playing the classical guitar. His first guitar was actually one that had been loaned to him for several years, and when the day came for it to be returned, Richard began the search for a new guitar. During that time he learned there were makers around the world crafting these instruments by hand, and was thus attracted to the idea of pursuing the art of lutherie. Aside from the complexity and beauty of the sound, what attracted Richard most was the combined practice of science, chemistry, art, physics, architecture, design and music.

Training in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles

His formal studies began when he found a violin maker in Santa Barbara who taught him to build violins. This was a way to get his “feet wet”, but the goal was ultimately guitar making. He studied in the violin shop for a couple of years and later found Los Angeles-based luthier Greg Brandt, with whom he studied another two years. When finished, he continued to study the guitar with guidance from other well-known makers and developed friendships along the way. Eugene Clark made a strong impression on him, spending countless hours discussing the geometry and approach to making the guitar, based on the traditional techniques and methods of construction of the Spanish makers of the past.

Inspired by Torres and the Spanish Tradition

Richard draws his inspiration from Antonio de Torres and a number of other great European makers of past and present. Strongly rooted in the Spanish sound and design, his goal is not to duplicate the “greats” but instead to develop a look and sound which is uniquely his own. Working predominantly with hand tools, Richard finds what the guitar is doing scientifically an alluring venture, but it’s his intuition, understanding of the wood, eyes and hands which carry the weight in his practice. In Richard’s own words: “Qualities I aspire to achieve in each of my instruments are a rich beautiful voice with a wide tonal palette of colors throughout the entire fingerboard, clear separation from string to string, a voice that projects from an intimate setting to a large concert hall and a wide dynamic range.” It’s important for him to create an instrument where the soundboard and strings have a liveliness and sensitivity when lightly plucked. On the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s really important to be able to push and dig into the strings where the quality of the sound has a body which holds up rather than a percussive quality which falls apart.

Art Deco Design from a Los Angeles Workshop

Richard’s work artistically is inspired by geometric shapes, simple lines and natural colors drawing from the art deco era, which is implemented in the purfling, rosette, decorative inlays and machine heads. Through his attention to detail and perfectionist nature, he treats each instrument as if it’s his last. He builds a limited number of instruments per year, which allows him to focus on quality rather than quantity. Although originally from Santa Monica, Richard currently lives and works in a charming old 1920s building in the artistic Los Feliz area of Los Angeles.