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Product Description

Neck：Cedro
Fingerboard：Ebony
Finish： 　top/ Polyurethan、 back & sides/Polyurethan
Tuning Machine： FUSTERO
String height：1string　 3.1mm／6string　4.1mm

[Luthier Profile] – Arcangel Fernandez
Arcangel Fernandez (b. 1931, Madrid, Spain) is universally acknowledged as one of the foremost Spanish guitar makers of the latter 20th century. As the sole rigorous guardian of the Madrid school lineage—emanating from Manuel Ramirez through Santos Hernandez—Fernandez upheld its core philosophy with unmatched fidelity, elevating both craftsmanship and tonal artistry to their apex.

Initially pursuing a career as a child actor, Fernandez began working as a furniture craftsman and studying flamenco guitar at age 13. Following his military service, he considered becoming a professional guitarist before fate led him in 1954 to Marcelo Barbero I (1904–1956), the recognized successor to Santos Hernandez. At Barbero’s urging, Fernandez became his sole apprentice, absorbing his master’s techniques with fervor. Although Barbero passed away in 1956, after only two years of training Fernandez completed his mentor’s outstanding orders and, in 1957, established his own workshop on Calle Jesús y María. From its inception, his instruments reflected maturity beyond his years—structurally precise, sonically balanced, and unmistakably refined.

In the 1960s Marcelo Barbero II (1943–2005), son of Barbero I, joined Fernandez, creating a shared atelier. Fernandez maintained strict quality control, personally producing only one classical and one flamenco model, while allowing trusted artisans—Marcelo Barbero II, Manuel Caceres, Pedro Barbuena—to craft other instruments labeled “Para Casa Arcangel Fernandez.” These were fully handmade and individually signed, meeting the same rigorous standards and garnering high acclaim among collectors today.

Fernandez’s steadfast commitment to exacting structural design, meticulous tonewood selection, and uncompromising acoustic integrity shaped instruments that demand refined technique from their players. His pursuit of sonic purity made his guitars both austere and deeply expressive. When he retired in 2011, he left behind a legacy of highly prized, increasingly rare instruments.

[Instrument Description] – Arcangel Fernandez, 1971 Classical Model (Used)
This 1971 classical guitar by Arcangel Fernandez offers an intriguing blend of stylistic elements and structural innovation. Its spruce top is finished in a rich orange-toned polyurethane—aesthetic choice strongly influenced by the then-popular work of José Ramírez in Madrid. Indeed, Fernandez’s workshop marketed “Para Casa Arcangel” instruments made by esteemed craftsmen from the Ramírez atelier, including Marcelo Barbero II, Manuel Caceres, and Pedro Barbuena.

Although Fernandez is best known for fan bracing derived from Marcelo Barbero I, this particular instrument features a distinct internal architecture:

Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood of excellent quality, carefully selected by Fernandez according to his exacting standards.

Bracing: Seven thin, symmetrical fan braces centered on the soundboard (rather than the usual six), with two V-shaped closing bars at the lower bout. Each brace is approximately half the size of his typical braces. Thin reinforcement braces run beneath the bridge line, and one harmonic bar is placed above and one below the soundhole.

Resonance tuning: Slightly above G, providing a well-focused, centrally balanced tone.

Tonal and Dynamic Characteristics
The guitar exhibits the natural projection and dense tone characteristic of Fernandez’s instruments, yet in this case tempered by a slightly rounder, gentler voice. The tone is not overtly flamboyant but offers rich Spanish lyricism within a hushed, understated palette. With a resilient yet subtly responsive attack and a broad dynamic range, it delineates voices with clarity and resonance without overemphasizing sustain. The voice is organic, articulate, and capable of deep tonal expression.

This instrument demonstrates a softer aspect of Fernandez’s sound philosophy—its refined tone, gentle clarity, and musical warmth make it highly versatile and expressive.

Condition and Playability
The guitar shows no major cracks or structural repairs. There are several light dents and scratches around the fingerboard edges and lower bout, and a faint outline from a protective film beneath the bridge. The back and sides show minimal wear—minor scuffing likely from contact with clothing. The neck finish shows slight wear, but it retains solid integrity. Frets 1–7 show some wear, especially on 1–2, but playability remains unaffected.

The neck has a slim, flat D-profile offering a compact grip. The current string height is 3.0 mm (1st) / 4.0 mm (6th) at the 12th fret, with 2.0–3.0 mm of remaining saddle—allowing further lowering if desired. The guitar weighs 1.65 kg.

A notable construction feature: below the 1st-string side of the fingerboard (covering frets 12–19), a deliberate slit was made during original construction to allow for wood expansion—this is hidden beneath the fingerboard and not indicative of later damage.