NO LONGER AVAILABLE!!! Jose Romanillos & Son Classical ‘La Amistad’, 2005

Here is a wonderful rarity – a Jose Romanillos & Son classical guitar, ‘La Amistad’, built during 2005 by one of the finest builders anywhere.

Jose Romanillos was born during 1932 in Madrid but after apprenticing to a cabinet maker moved to England in 1956. By 1961, he began building classical guitars – learning from the books available at the time. His guitars were quickly recognized for their quality and by 1969 the great guitarist Julian Bream was using Romanillos guitars almost exclusively. In 1982, his son Liam began an apprenticeship and in 1991 shifted to full partner, accompanied by a change in the company name to J L Romanillos & Son. Jose Romanillos retired to Spain in 1995, but has continued to build out of a small shop.

This Jose Romanillos & Son Classical guitar, named ‘La Amistad’ on the label along with the signatures of Jose and Liam, was built during 2005 at the Romanillos shop in Gillingham, Dorset. It is in very good, clean condition and while its decorations are understated, its construction and tone are impressive. This is a guitar that draws all the builders in the shop, wanting to have a close look!

The top is European Spruce with a very nice Bearclaw figure. The bracing is Spruce and is beautifully shaped. The back, sides, bridge head plate and body binding are Indian Rosewood, with traditional Spanish Cedar for the body blocks, neck and back braces. The head is a separate piece from the neck, attached via a keyed V joint, a construction type that dates back to romantic era instruments. Unusually, the back is four pieces, and there are cedar lining strips inside the guitar covering the three seams. The tuners appear to be Rodgers models. The finish is French Polish and is in very good condition. French Polish provides a moderate level of protection, while imposing the smallest possible restrictions on the wood’s movement and resonance.

There is very little wear of any kind. This fine guitar has been well cared for, but it has so little wear that it may not have been played extensively, so dedicated use should open its voice up further.

This Jose Romanillos & Son classical guitar is sold with its Ameritage hard shell case.