2017 Rafael Romero Especial Classical/Flamenco

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About the Maker

Born in 1963 in the province of Cadiz, the Spanish luthier Rafael Romero Barroso began playing guitar at age twelve as a disciple of Rafael Escudier. By the time he was sixteen, he was performing alongside such renowned artists as "Chano Lotabo", "Rancapino", "Curro Malena" and "El Chato de la Isla."

During this period, he met Mario Melero Deudero (b. 1927), a Spanish guitar maker also from Cadiz, and discovering his true vocation apprenticed with him. When Mario retired, in fact, he passed his tools on to Rafael, who like his teacher, continues to build handmade classical and flamenco guitars using traditional tools and techniques.

Later, traveling to Madrid, he met the guitar maker Jose Romero, who encouraged and supported his efforts. Among the luthiers from whose friendship and advice he has profited, he also mentions Vicente Carrillo Casas. Among his clientele are such artists as Manuel Parrilla, Juan Parrilla, Moraito Chico, "El Carbonero" and Alberto San Miguel, professor of guitar at the Conservatory of Music in Granada. He brings to his flamenco and classical guitars both the knowledge of his craft and the sensibilities of a professional guitarist

About the Guitar

Features

• TOP: Solid German Spruce

• SIDES & BACK: Rosewood

• NECK: Spanish Cedar Reinforced inside with Ebony Wood

• FINGERBOARD: Ebony

• MACHINE HEADS: Luxury High Quality Machine Heads

This guitar delivers with all the power you would expect from someone who was actually a professional Tocaor before turning to Luthiery. Comes with a very solid foam case.

A really excellent Concert level guitar equally at home on the concert stage as on a Flamenco tablao. This is because Rafael Romero is renown as a flamenco maker so even his classicals have a flamenco soul that rings forth as soon as you apply flamenco technique. Although it will be perfectly behaved when you merely stroke it.

So, a very versatile guitar delivering pronounced bases and ringing trebles. It will appeal to a player looking for very clear, fast speaking classical with light overtones for a classical it plays very aggressive and flamenco. This is very common with flamenco guitar builders even their classicals have a flamenco edge.

It is an elegant guitar featuring beautiful timbers, double saddle, interesting tuners + Hiscox case.

Alejandro Florez’s review of this guitar when he recorded it was that “it is  very  powerful, projects really well it is the perfect blend of Classical and Flamenco guitars. It has the clack you want form a flamenco and also the single note clarity you want”.