This is a wonderful flamenco guitar built by Manuel Contreras, signed by Manuel Contreras Sr. and in excellent, near mint condition. Our artisanos have restored this Contreras to its original condition, the French polish has been touched up slightly to keep the enchanting old aged look, only some minor playing wear is visible. She was purchased at the shop of the late Manuel Contreras in Madrid. The action is low, making her extremely easy to play. She has the power and tone one expects in a great flamenca negra, profound basses, rich incisive trebles and an aggressive flamenco rasp and growl, pure flamenco, a great concert-level flamenco at a very affordable price.
Manuel Gonzalez Contreras (1928-1994) was originally trained as a cabinet maker and began building guitars in the Jose Ramirez shop in Madrid in 1959. He left Ramirez to establish his own business in 1962. It was Contreras who was the actual maker of the 1960 Jose Ramirez guitar that Segovia chose to replace his beloved Hermann Hauser guitar. His son Pablo Manuel (b. 1957) now runs the business with a small staff of assistants and is very much a hands-on luthier.
