José Luis Romanillos - 1983 La Casada No. 612
About the luthier
José Luis Romanillos Vega was born in Madrid in 1932, where he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker at the age of thirteen. In 1956, he moved to England and took work in hospitals in Epsom and London. It was during his time in England, in 1961, that he built his first Spanish guitar. Encouraged by the guitarist Julian Bream, he established a workshop in 1970 in the village of Semley, Wiltshire. Romanillos quickly earned international recognition for the tonal beauty and aesthetic refinement of his instruments, becoming one of the most revered guitar makers of the twentieth century. His work centred on the pursuit of the "Spanish sound," aiming for tonal purity and harmonic equilibrium. He also made notable contributions as a teacher and scholar, offering courses, lectures, and publishing significant organological research with his wife Marian. In 2002, they released the landmark reference work “The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar.” He spent his later years in Guijosa, a rural district near Sigüenza in Spain.
About the guitar
This 1983 guitar, bearing the number 612 and named “La Casada,” exemplifies the maturity of Romanillos' craft during his Semley period. The year 1983 is widely regarded as part of the golden period of his output, marked by exceptional tonal refinement and structural clarity. Its traditional construction features a spruce soundboard paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. The instrument is strikingly responsive, offering effortless playability and precise tonal control. The trebles are vivid and elegant, with exceptional sustain, while the basses carry both refinement and depth. The result is a deeply satisfying tonal balance with superb voice separation and a remarkably expressive dynamic range. At lower intensities, the guitar produces a delicate, airy sound, yet it maintains authority and projection even under full attack. This versatility allows for both intimate phrasing and commanding presence, making it a deeply engaging instrument for the concert performer.
Condition
The guitar is in very good condition, with three repaired superficial cracks: one on the bottom side, one in the centre of the back, and one along the fingerboard. All repairs are stable and have no impact on the tonal performance.
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Product Information
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Description
About the luthier
José Luis Romanillos Vega was born in Madrid in 1932, where he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker at the age of thirteen. In 1956, he moved to England and took work in hospitals in Epsom and London. It was during his time in England, in 1961, that he built his first Spanish guitar. Encouraged by the guitarist Julian Bream, he established a workshop in 1970 in the village of Semley, Wiltshire. Romanillos quickly earned international recognition for the tonal beauty and aesthetic refinement of his instruments, becoming one of the most revered guitar makers of the twentieth century. His work centred on the pursuit of the "Spanish sound," aiming for tonal purity and harmonic equilibrium. He also made notable contributions as a teacher and scholar, offering courses, lectures, and publishing significant organological research with his wife Marian. In 2002, they released the landmark reference work “The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar.” He spent his later years in Guijosa, a rural district near Sigüenza in Spain.
About the guitar
This 1983 guitar, bearing the number 612 and named “La Casada,” exemplifies the maturity of Romanillos' craft during his Semley period. The year 1983 is widely regarded as part of the golden period of his output, marked by exceptional tonal refinement and structural clarity. Its traditional construction features a spruce soundboard paired with Indian rosewood back and sides. The instrument is strikingly responsive, offering effortless playability and precise tonal control. The trebles are vivid and elegant, with exceptional sustain, while the basses carry both refinement and depth. The result is a deeply satisfying tonal balance with superb voice separation and a remarkably expressive dynamic range. At lower intensities, the guitar produces a delicate, airy sound, yet it maintains authority and projection even under full attack. This versatility allows for both intimate phrasing and commanding presence, making it a deeply engaging instrument for the concert performer.
Condition
The guitar is in very good condition, with three repaired superficial cracks: one on the bottom side, one in the centre of the back, and one along the fingerboard. All repairs are stable and have no impact on the tonal performance.
