❌SOLD❌ Contreras Guitarreria Classical Guitar Natural, 1969

Seen here is an M G Contreras Guitarreria classical guitar from 1969, bringing with it some Spanish guitar history.

Manuel G Contreras – Manuel I – was born in Madrid in 1928 and developed good woodworking and cabinetry skills. In 1959, he received and apprenticeship invitation from Jose Ramirez III, which he accepted. By 1962 he had learned enough to set up an independent shop at Calle de Mayor 80 in Madrid, where he earned a reputation for excellent quality, creative and innovative work, introducing early double tops and backs. In 1986, his son Manuel II – known to many as ‘Pablo’ – became a full-time luthier and they worked closely together until Manuel I’s death in 1994. During that time, they hired Victoria Velasco to run the shop front as she was an accomplished guitarist, and helpfully fluent in a number of languages. Manuel II died in 2011 and Victoria has continued to run the shop, which moved to Calle de Segovia 57 a few years ago.

This is a Contreras Guitarreria classical model, distinguished by the ‘Guitarreria’ label and its lack of signature. Currently, this type of guitar is known as an ‘Estudio’ model. These are built to the Master’s specifications either by an apprentice or an approved third party, and receive final checkup and setup in the Master’s shop.

This Contreras Guitarreria classical has just been set up by The Twelfth Fret repair shop and is in good working order. It plays well, and is built like other Contreras models of the time, having a Red Cedar top paired with Indian Rosewood for the sides, back, bridge and head plate; the integrated neck and heel are of Spanish Cedar – Cedro. This wood is neither Spanish or Cedar, but is Cedrela Odorata of the Meliaceae family. The fingerboard is Ebony. There is one dent near the bass side of the sound hole, through the finish into the top wood. The finish itself shows lots of natural lacquer checking and is cloudy. This cloudy effect is often the result of excess humidity during the finish application. As this guitar is presently 53 years old, the finish can be regarded as fully stable.

Overall, this M G Contreras Guitarreria Classical is a good vintage example of Spanish guitar construction with a fully developed voice and good action.

A grey hard shell case is included.