Enrique Garcia – 1920

Description

Enrique Garcia was born in Madrid in 1868 and began an apprenticeship with José Ramirez I and possibly also with Manuel Ramirez at the young age of 15. He won the first prize at the Chicago World Fair in 1893. Enrique Garcia is seen as the founder of the Barcelona school of guitar making as he strongly influenced many other guitar makers from Barcelona as Francisco Simplicio, Enrique Sanfeliù, Ignacio Fleta, and many more. He was the most important and thought-after guitar maker at the beginning of the 20th century and his guitars were played by the most recognized guitarists such as Domingo Prat and Francisco Tarrega.

This Enrique Garcia guitar, built in 1920 and wearing the number 235, crystalizes the essence of the Barcelonian guitar-making school of the beginning of the twentieth century. Actually, it doesn’t get much better than this for any fan of the Catalan aesthetic of the time, both in terms of sound and look. This instrument was built at the end of Enrique Garcia’s career and is a rare, highly decorated model. The wide rosette, sculpted headstock, elaborated purflings, and mosaic on the head make it an actual work of art. The inlaid tuners are an exciting feature that we have exceptionally rarely seen on Enrique Garcia’s guitars. Totally unseeable when looking at the head from the front; this is how much attention to detail Enrique Garcia was giving to his instruments. This guitar is in excellent playing condition and has a huge sound. Hairline cracks were expertly restored on the soundboard, one crack on the back was skillfully fixed, and this exceptionally rare collector-grade guitar is now ready to be played and recorded.

Check out the presentation video of this specific guitar below in which you will find plenty of extra information about its playability and sound.