Vicente Cherubito – 1955 No. 142

Description

Vicente Cherubito was one of the most accomplished luthiers in Argentina, who built instruments of outstanding quality and whose work is well known in specialist communities but tends to move under the radar of contemporary attention. Like his colleague Antonio Manganaro, he originated from Italy, settled in Buenos Aires and began building bowed instruments and later classical guitars. His reputation grew quickly, first at a local level, and later, thanks to the support of the outstanding guitarist Narciso Yepes, who held his instruments in the highest esteem, he also gained international recognition.

This wonderful guitar, built in 1955, with the number 142, is an absolute masterpiece. It is richly decorated with mosaic inlays, an ornate and elegant rosette, an elaborate tie block, a magnificent set of Brazilian rosewood, and a beautifully carved headstock. Rather than being a standard instrument from Cherubito’s workshop, this is instead one that he built specifically for a good friend who owned and played it for almost 70 years to the present day. Its condition is excellent, with only minor playing signs, a thoroughly repaired hairline crack on the back, two typical repaired cracks on the top on both sides of the fingerboard, and a repair on the head. The sound of this guitar is open all the way through and has the typical 1950s vintage sound found only on those original instruments that have been continuously played and cared for.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you can find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.