Jesus Belezar Garcia – 1971 No. 109

Description

Jesús Belezar Garcia (1920-1986) was a Spanish luthier whose guitars are extremely rare. Having produced only 83 guitars in his short but successful career, Jesús Belezar Garcia is a fascinating personality in the Madrilenian guitar-making scene of the second half of the twentieth century. Jesús Belezar Garcia married Emilia Hernandez in 1945, becoming the son-in-law of the famous luthier Manuel Hernandez, the associate of Victoriano Aguado in the now famous Hernandez y Aguado Workshop. Victoriano Aguado shared Jesús Belezar Garcia’s passion for the guitar, and the two men’s dedication to the instrument played a crucial role in the establishment of HyA as full-time luthiers. Jesús Belezar Garcia worked in HyA’s workshop from 1965 until 1968 before establishing his own workshop. His carved headstock, an eye-catching characteristic of his guitars, was designed by Victoriano Aguado and given to him as a gift. Jesús Belezar Garcia started his production at the number 100 and with the minimal number of guitars available, Jesús Belezar Garcia’s instruments are among the most sought-after guitars made in the twentieth century.

This 1971 Jesús Belezar Garcia number 109 is a very special instrument by all means. It belonged to the famous composer Sr. Francisco Zapata, and a copy of a fascinating correspondence between the composer and the guitar maker is included with this instrument. This guitar has a uniform red cedar top and a two-pieces Indian rosewood back and sides. The unique bracing pattern, which has a slanting harmonic bar from the sound hole to the lower treble bout, adds stiffness to the treble side of the soundboard that controls the trebles. This beautiful instrument was built with a tasteful aesthetic quality and is hand-signed by Jesús Belezar Garcia inside the soundboard. Its condition is great, with only one skilfully repaired hairline crack on the soundboard, one minor restoration on the head, a hairline crack on the side’s lower bout. The French polish was also refreshed, and the guitar is in excellent playing and collectible condition. Although it has a cedar top, this guitar sounds a lot like an excellent spruce top with crystal clarity and a broad tonal color range. The timbre responds instantly to the player’s touch and this Spanish beauty also offers a great volume through all its registers.