2025 Rojas & Sanzol SP/CY

Built by Argentinian luthiers (currently working in Italy) Matías Rojas & Carmen Sanzol, winners of the Third Prize at the seventh Antonio Marin Montero Guitar Making Competition held in Granada, Spain in July/August, 2024. We are extremely thrilled to have this new concert instrument here - made very traditionally like the great luthiers of the mid-century Madrid school (Esteso, Santos, Barbero, Arcangel). They even credit the rosette and headstock designs as inspired by the designs of Santos Hernandez. The finish is shellac with a added colors to evoke the "look" of guitars out of the old flamenco school. The soundboard is made of Italian spruce from the Val di Fiemme and the back and sides are of Greek cypress. The luthiers tell us that the 3-piece back was deisgned to achieve the flexibility and beauty of sound found in the old Andalusian guitars of the 19th century. The bracing is a more-or-less symmetrical 6-fan system the with two cross-bars above and below the bridge area. The mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard offer a combination that contributes to a brilliant, bright sound with great snap at the attack. The overall lightweigh build and low string height allow for comfortable playing and easy responsiveness. The sound is very traditional flamenco - raspy with just the right amount of "flamenco sizzle" making it a great instrument for solo or ensemble playing. Overall, this guitar beautifully showcases the charm of traditional Spanish influences from a pair of luthiers with a very eclectic and extremely musical background. All in, this an exceptional instrument by any standard.