Guitar Marcelo Barbero 1949 EX-Quintín Esquembre

This flamenco guitar was made by the legendary guitar maker Marcelo Barbero in Madrid, 1949. This maker is regarded as one of the most important flamenco guitar craftsmen ever. After Santos Hernández’s death, his widow, Matilde Ruiz, ordered Marcelo Barbero the making of Santos’ unfinished guitars before his premature death in 1943, thus employing the workshop and tools located in 23 Aduana Street, Madrid. Thanks to that, Marcelo learned and discovered some little tricks secrets Santos had when making his guitars, becoming his only disciple and apprentice, even if just indirectly. This is why Barbero’s guitars after this time are the most valued by instrument collectors all around the world. This guitars stand out for their light weight and outstanding acoustic response, quick and accurate, but also full of flamenco character.

This guitar has belonged to the renowned guitarist Quintín Esquembre. (SEE NEWS)

It is truly surprising to see for ourselves the quality of these woods, as well as the extreme perfection of its making. The German spruce top has a really marked, even and straight grain all along its surface. The back and sides are made of extremely beautiful and high quality Brazilian rosewood. This is a special model for concerts, for which the very best woods were selected.

The sound of this guitar exhibits truly incredible projection. It’s difficult to describe and convey through words the magnitude of the quality and beauty of this instrument. The depth of its bass strings and the incomparable musicality of its trebles, combined with the majesty of its tone, make it a genuine masterpiece. For us, this instrument unquestionably represents the pinnacle of concert guitars.

It’s practically impossible to find guitars from this craftsman, but it’s even more challenging to find them in this state of preservation, with only a few minor cracks that are perfectly repaired and documented in the attached images. All these little imperfections have been perfectly restored by the master luthier Francisco Sánchez, who managed to leave the guitar in absolutely PERFECT condition. A down-to-detail careful work, almost “surgical”, which requires a careful study, deep knowledge and full-time devotion. A work for the very best craftsmen, indeed.