Marcelino Lopez Nieto　[マルセリーノ・ロペス・ニエト] No.536

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:FUSTERO
String Height(1st):3.0mm
String Height(6th):4.3mm

［Profile］
Marcelino Lopez Nieto (1931–2018, Madrid) began his career as a cabinetmaker and later studied guitar under Daniel Fortea, a disciple of Francisco Tárrega. An accomplished player himself, he began building guitars around 1947 and established his workshop in 1949, largely self-taught apart from guidance from Matilde Ruiz, widow of Santos Hernández.

Firmly rooted in the Madrid tradition, he produced high-quality instruments throughout his life and also worked for Hernández y Aguado in the early 1970s. A noted scholar, he collected and studied historical instruments while building refined replicas. His craftsmanship and design are often regarded as exceptional, sometimes compared to José Luis Romanillos. Over his lifetime, he built more than 1,000 instruments. He passed away in 2018.

［Instrument］
1969 Marcelino Lopez Nieto No.536
An early-period work showing both technical maturity and strong individuality, with structural and tonal features not commonly seen in his later instruments.

The head shape and likely body outline reflect the influence of Santos Hernández, while the rosette is uniquely carved directly into the top with a repeating leaf motif. The overall design is relatively restrained.

The internal bracing is highly distinctive, combining elements associated with Santos and Hernández y Aguado. It includes upper and lower harmonic bars, reinforcement plates around the soundhole, a diagonal treble bar, and seven fan braces arranged symmetrically but with differing lengths. One brace passes through an opening in the lower harmonic bar. The air resonance is set just below A♯, relatively high for a Spanish guitar.

［Sound］
A distinctive tonal character with qualities reminiscent of early guitars.

The response is direct and vivid, with a tactile, woody attack similar to 19th-century instruments. At the same time, it maintains depth, dynamic range, and expressive flexibility.

Despite its experimental structure and high resonance setting, the instrument achieves a well-balanced and coherent voice, with clear articulation and rich tonal variation.

［Condition］
No cracks or major repairs.

The top shows light playing wear around the fingerboard, soundhole, and bridge area. Back and sides show minor signs of use consistent with age.

The back of the neck has some shallow nail marks with localized touch-up, not affecting playability. Neck and frets are in good functional condition.

Scale length: 660 mm
Frets are slightly high (approx. 1.3 mm)
Neck profile: slim D shape

String height at 12th fret: 3.0 mm / 4.3 mm, with 1.5–2.0 mm saddle remaining.

Original shellac finish appears intact. Tuners have been replaced with Fustero (Spain), functioning well.

Body weight: 1.57 kg