José Luis Romanillos - 1999 No. 774 "La Mar"
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Details
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Overview
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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.
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