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Product Description

Neck：Cedoro
Fingerboard：Ebony
Finish：Polyurethan
Tuning Machine：WOOD PEGS
String height：1string 2.5mm／6string 3.0mm

[Luthier Information]
Manuel González Contreras (1928–1994) and his son Pablo Contreras (1957–2011) formed one of the most distinctive and innovative brands in the Spanish guitar world. Originally a skilled cabinetmaker, Manuel brought exceptional woodworking and design sensibilities into lutherie. Between 1959 and 1962, he worked as a master craftsman (not an apprentice) at the José Ramírez III workshop in Madrid. Shortly thereafter, he opened his own workshop to realize his own bold vision for guitar making.

Manuel Contreras was known for his inventive spirit and uncompromising approach to tonewood selection, construction, and sound design. His models — often experimental and highly individual — include 8-, 10-, and 13-string guitars, double-top designs (unrelated to the later Nomex-based versions by Matthias Dammann), the Carlevaro model inspired by speaker acoustics, and the 1a Especial featuring curved braces. Despite this diversity, his guitars share a unified tonal signature: a rich, full-bodied Madrid-style sound with immersive projection and solidity, true to his Ramírez roots.

His son Pablo began working in the family workshop in 1975 and became an essential creative partner, sharing his father’s spirit of exploration. After Manuel’s death, Pablo continued building under the label “Manuel Contreras II”, faithfully upholding the workshop’s high standards. He remained active until his untimely passing in 2011 at just 54 years old. Today, the brand continues under José Antonio Lagunar, who inherited the legacy of the Contreras name.

[Instrument Details]
This is a used Manuel Contreras Estudio flamenco blanca, built with traditional wooden friction pegs. While the label does not include a date, construction details suggest it was made in the 1980s. The guitar features a solid spruce top and solid cypress back and sides, a classic flamenco configuration that makes it a strong option for entry to intermediate-level players.

The use of wooden pegs adds to the vintage charm and contributes to a unique resonance, offering a tactile, responsive feel under the hands.

Bracing & Construction:
Two harmonic bars, one above and one below the soundhole

Seven symmetrically placed fan braces

Main body resonance is tuned slightly below A

Tone:
The sound is bright, crisp, and punchy, with the dry, percussive bite characteristic of traditional Spanish flamenco guitars. Despite being an Estudio-level model, it projects with surprising authority and offers nuanced tonal shading, making it well-suited for authentic flamenco expression.

Condition:
No major cracks or structural repairs

Minor surface blemishes typical of age, including:

A string mark below the 1st string at the bridge

Light dings and playwear on the top and sides

A few surface scratches from clothing contact on the back

A prior golpeador (tap plate) replacement was cleanly executed; the outline of the original plate is faintly visible but does not detract from appearance

Neck shows a slight forward relief, well within standard tolerance

Frets remain in good condition

Neck profile is a thick U-shape, slightly fuller than a typical D

Action at the 12th fret: approx. 2.5 mm (1st string) / 3.0 mm (6th string)

Saddle height remaining: approx. 0–0.5 mm

The nut has a small spacer underneath to adjust its height

Wooden friction pegs are in excellent condition and function smoothly, offering relatively easy tuning for this peg style