José Luis Romanillos - 1983 La Casada No. 612
José Luis Romanillos - 1983 La Casada No. 612
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
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Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
José Luis Romanillos Vega was born in Madrid in 1932, where he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker at the age of thirteen. In 1956, he moved to England and took work in hospitals in Epsom and London. It was during his time in England, in 1961, that he built his first Spanish guitar. Encouraged by the guitarist Julian Bream, he established a workshop in 1970 in the village of Semley, Wiltshire. Romanillos quickly earned international recognition for the tonal beauty and aesthetic refinement of his instruments, becoming one of the most revered guitar makers of the twentieth century. His work centred on the pursuit of the "Spanish sound," aiming for tonal purity and harmonic equilibrium. He also made notable contributions as a teacher and scholar, offering courses, lectures, and publishing significant organological research with his wife Marian. In 2002, they released the landmark reference work “The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar.” He spent his later years in Guijosa, a rural district near Sigüenza in Spain.
About the guitar
This 1983 guitar, bearing the number 612 and named “La Casada,” exemplifies the maturity of Romanillos' craft during his Semley period. The year 1983 is widely regarded as part of the golden period of his output, marked by exceptional tonal refinement and structural clarity. Its traditional construction features a spruce soundboard paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. The instrument is strikingly responsive, offering effortless playability and precise tonal control. The trebles are vivid and elegant, with exceptional sustain, while the basses carry both refinement and depth. The result is a deeply satisfying tonal balance with superb voice separation and a remarkably expressive dynamic range. At lower intensities, the guitar produces a delicate, airy sound, yet it maintains authority and projection even under full attack. This versatility allows for both intimate phrasing and commanding presence, making it a deeply engaging instrument for the concert performer.
Condition
The guitar is in very good condition, with three repaired superficial cracks: one on the bottom side, one in the centre of the back, and one along the fingerboard. All repairs are stable and have no impact on the tonal performance.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.