Description
The two friends Santiago Diaz Martinez, better known as Manuel Hernández, and Victoriano Aguado Rodriguez, got to know each other while working in a piano factory. After the factory closed, they founded a company that initially focused on restoring furniture and pianos. They built their two first guitars privately between 1945 and 1948, which were also played and examined by Regio Sainz de la Maza. This was a very encouraging experience and the two friends decided to keep on building guitars. In 1948 Modesto Borreguero, who had worked in the workshop of the famous luthier Manuel Ramirez, joined Manuel Hernández and Victoriano Aguado Rodriguez, and they started to increasingly focus on the making of guitars – with huge success. Famous artists like John Williams, Julian Bream and Atahualpa Yupanqui played „HyA“guitars.
This instrument is a true masterpiece, made in 1961 and numbered 181. The instrument is signed on the label and inside, representing the very best work produced by this renowned guitar-building duo. This guitar was crafted in the same year as the 1961 Regino Sainz de la Mazza guitar, another celebrated instrument made by the same artisans. The low body resonance of F creates deep, haunting bass tones that are complemented by bright and singing trebles, offering a playing experience that is both unique and satisfying for both players and collectors alike. This guitar is rare, with all the hallmarks that have made Hernández y Aguado instruments so sought after worldwide. The sound is characterized by great expressiveness, fantastic sustain, and perfect intonation. Although it has been around for more than half a century, this beautiful instrument is still in very good condition, with only several well-repaired cracks on the soundboard. One typical crack can be found next to the fingerboard on the bass side, with three more located on the lower bout. Two of these cracks have been expertly glued, while one is reinforced with a cleat. Additionally, a tiny part on the edge of the lower bout was replaced, but this repair is also very stable. Overall, the Hernández y Aguado guitar No. 181 is a stunning example of guitar craftsmanship and an instrument that any player or collector would be proud to own.
Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.
Luthier: | Hernández y Aguado |
Construction year: | 1961 |
Top: | Spruce |
Back and sides: | Brazilian rosewood (CITES certified) |
Scale: | 650 mm |
Nut: | 50,5 mm |
Weight: | 1475 grams |
Air body frequency: | F |
Tuners: | Fustero |
Strings: | Knobloch EDC 34.0 |
Case: | Hiscox Pro II “Siccas Guitars” Edition |
Condition: | Excellent |