José Luis Romanillos - 1999 No. 774 "La Mar"
José Luis Romanillos - 1999 No. 774 "La Mar"
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 born in 1932 in Madrid and active until 2022 is regarded as one of the most influential luthiers of the twentieth century. Trained originally as a cabinetmaker he built his first guitar in London in 1961 and later established his workshop in Semley in England encouraged by Julian Bream. His instruments became known for profound lyricism, refined balance and an unmistakable visual and acoustic language that has shaped the identity of the modern Spanish guitar. Romanillos devoted his craft to the search for the Spanish sound and generations of makers and musicians have drawn inspiration from this pursuit. His reputation extended far beyond the world of guitar building. The Daily Mail described him as the Stradivari of the guitar and Sei Corde magazine referred to him as the most important living stringed instrument maker of his time. Alongside his work as a luthier he was also a teacher and historian and co authored the reference work The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar.
The guitar presented here bears the name La Mar which means the sea. Built in 1999 as number 774 it belongs to a mature period in which Romanillos attained complete artistic clarity both acoustically and aesthetically. His rosette design became an international point of reference and continues to inspire builders around the world.
About the guitar
La Mar is traditionally built with a spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The top is finished with French polish while the body carries a thin nitrocellulose varnish. The guitar weighs 1475 grams and feels light, resonant and responsive under the hands. Landstorfer tuning machines provide smooth accuracy. The headstock decoration and the characteristic Romanillos bridge ornament give the guitar its unmistakable identity.
The sound is intimate and sweet with a smiling quality in the tone that remains present even in the quietest dynamics. The guitar attracts the player with its wide range of colours which can be shaped with only minimal movement of the right hand. The balance is exemplary and the registers connect with a natural fluidity. The sustain is long and the instrument breathes with calm resonance that fills the room without force. The clarity of the voices is remarkable and polyphonic music unfolds with an unbroken line between inner parts and melody. The guitar responds kindly to the player and gives a sense of direct communication. It creates a musical atmosphere that feels both gentle and deeply expressive which reflects Romanillos at his most poetic.
Condition
The guitar is in very good condition. There is a small glued crack on the side which is stable and does not require cleats. The instrument shows signs of careful use with light scratches on the top and back that are visible only at certain angles.
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.