José Luis Romanillos - 1996 "La Piñonera" No. 750

José Luis Romanillos Vega was born in Madrid in 1932, where he started his cabinet-making apprenticeship at the age of thirteen. In 1956, he moved to England to work in a hospital in Epsom and a few months later in a hospital in London. Five years later, José Luis Romanillos, made his first Spanish guitar in London.

Encouraged by the English guitarist Julian Bream in 1970, J. L. Romanillos set up a guitar-making workshop in the village of Semley, Wiltshire. Romanillos’ guitars have received recognition for their sound quality as well as for their aesthetical appearance from guitarists worldwide. Pure sound and harmonic balance of the strings are what Romanillos looked for and achieved in his quest of the subtle “Spanish sound”. The Daily Mail has called him “the Stradivari of the guitar” and the Italian magazine Sei Corde “the most important living stringed instrument maker”.

J. L. Romanillos has given courses on Spanish guitar making in numerous countries as well as lectures and seminars about the organology of the instrument. He has also given lectures on the history and development of the vihuela de mano and the Spanish guitar. In addition, he was a member of the Crafts Council of Great Britain for ten years. Since 1995 he was living in Guijosa, a rural district annexed to Sigüenza in the northern part of the province of Guadalajara in Spain. In collaboration with his wife Marian, he published a dictionary of stringed-instrument makers and guitar-makers of Spain titled “The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar” in 2002.

Introducing "La Pinonera," a breathtaking guitar crafted in 1996 by the esteemed Jose L. Romanillos, bearing the serial number 750. This instrument stands as a testament to Romanillos' legendary craftsmanship, distinguished by its unique E main body resonance—a rarity among Romanillos' creations. The guitar features a golden brown spruce soundboard that has beautifully matured over the last forty years, enhancing its sonic quality. Complementing the exquisite soundboard is intricate marquetry that elevates the visual appeal of the Indian rosewood back and sides, making this guitar not only aurally pleasing but also visually stunning. The guitar remains in excellent condition, with only light playing marks, maintaining its structural integrity flawlessly over the decades.

"La Pinonera" is not just a musical instrument; it is a joy to play, thanks to its ergonomically designed neck that ensures comfort in any concert setting. The guitar's volume is impressive, matching its aesthetically pleasing design with powerful acoustic performance. It produces deep, elegant basses that are uncommon in Romanillos guitars, paired with trebles that resonate with a bell-like clarity. This harmonious blend of trebles and basses creates a sound that is truly exceptional, making "La Pinonera" a highly sought-after piece for both collectors and performers alike, promising an unparalleled musical experience.