José Luis Romanillos - 2004 No. 818 "La Sonrisa"
José Luis Romanillos - 2004 No. 818 "La Sonrisa"
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 (1932–2022) is regarded as one of the most influential luthiers of the twentieth century. Born in Madrid and trained as a cabinetmaker, he built his first guitar in London in 1961, later establishing his workshop in Semley, England, with the encouragement of Julian Bream. His instruments are known for their profound lyricism, refined balance, and unmistakable aesthetic language. Romanillos' quest for the elusive “Spanish sound” has inspired generations of builders and musicians alike. Recognized globally, he was hailed by the Daily Mail as “the Stradivari of the guitar” and by Sei Corde magazine as “the most important living stringed instrument maker” of his time. Beyond building, he was a teacher, historian, and co-author of the reference work “The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar.”
About the guitar
Number 818, built in 2004 and named “La Sonrisa” — meaning “The Smile” — reflects José Luis Romanillos’ deep artistic identity and meticulous craftsmanship. As expected from this revered maker, every detail of the guitar, from the exquisitely composed rosette to the delicate headstock and bridge decoration, shows extraordinary refinement. The instrument radiates clarity, warmth, and elegance — visually and tonally.
Its tonal character is deeply poetic, with a singing sustain and exceptional balance across all registers. The sound is intimate yet vibrant, projecting a rich palette of color with remarkable consistency in every position on the fingerboard. Trebles unfold with graceful clarity, while the basses retain a warm, rounded presence that never overwhelms. The overall voice is unified and open, offering both subtlety and depth. There’s a natural resonance that breathes through the top, and every note seems to carry a quiet emotional weight — qualities that define Romanillos’ most celebrated instruments. Though his guitars share a recognizable tonal identity, each remains singular. “La Sonrisa” possesses its own expressive soul, shaped by both name and sound.
Condition
This 2004 guitar is in excellent condition. It shows slight signs of careful use and normal wear. There is one clean, well-executed hairline crack next to the bridge, secured internally with a cleat. The repair is stable and unobtrusive. The instrument retains its original French polish and tuners, and remains structurally sound and fully concert-ready.
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.