Manuel Velazquez　[マヌエル・ベラスケス] classical

Product Description

Neck:Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Lacquer
Tuning Machines:REISCHEL
String Height(1st):3.1mm
String Height(6th):4.1mm

[Luthier]

Manuel Velazquez (1917–2014) was a legendary Puerto Rican guitar maker. Born in Morovis, Puerto Rico, he was a relative of the great Spanish guitar maker Santos Hernandez and, influenced by this lineage, developed his own distinctive philosophy of guitar making. Often referred to as the “American Hauser,” Velazquez made approximately 1,000 instruments throughout his lifetime.

While faithfully preserving the traditions of Spanish guitar construction, Velazquez's instruments possess distinctive acoustic characteristics rooted in the climate, culture, and history of Puerto Rico. Their exceptional projection and rich power are combined with a remarkable ability to express subtle tonal nuances, demonstrating the high level of refinement achieved in his craftsmanship. His son Alfredo and daughter Graciela have continued their father's legacy, carrying the Velazquez family tradition into the modern era.

[Instrument]

Made in 1988, this instrument has a 650 mm scale length.

It is characterized by exceptional projection and an almost wall-like presence of sound. Despite its rich, powerful, and expansive tonal character, it responds remarkably well to the player's touch, revealing vivid changes in expression. Melodic lines sing beautifully, while the bass provides an overwhelming sense of stability and authority. Even in harmonic passages, each individual note retains its own character without losing clarity.

The volume is exceptionally rich, the response is excellent, and the sustain is also very good, resulting in a highly balanced overall sound. Made when Velazquez was 71 years old and at the height of his career, this is an outstanding instrument that demonstrates a remarkable fusion of traditional Spanish construction techniques and Puerto Rican acoustic aesthetics.

The soundboard is finished in shellac, while the sides and back are finished in lacquer, reflecting a distinctive approach to the instrument's construction. The guitar is fitted with Reischel tuning machines. The neck has a standard thickness and is straight, with almost no fret wear. The action is set at 3.1 mm on the first string and 4.1 mm on the sixth string. The string tension is on the firm side, while the instrument offers an exceptionally wide dynamic response to the player's touch, making it highly comfortable and rewarding to play.

Approximately 36 years have passed since the guitar was made, yet it remains in excellent condition. There are several small impact marks on the treble side of the lower bout of the soundboard, but apart from these, the instrument is exceptionally clean. The finish has been well preserved, and the neck remains in excellent condition. There is no known history of crack repairs or other major structural repairs.

The remarkable condition of this instrument reflects the exceptional care with which it has been handled over the years, and its structural integrity remains excellent.

A hard case is included.

[Luthier Information]
Manuel Velázquez was born in 1917 in Morovis, Puerto Rico. His career and workshops spanned several locations, including Manhattan in New York City, Puerto Rico, and later Florida.
The twelfth of thirteen children, Velázquez grew up in a deeply musical environment. His maternal grandparents were from Spain and were relatives of the renowned Spanish luthier Santos Hernández. Surrounded by guitars from an early age, he built his first guitar as a teenager using tools belonging to his older brother, who was a carpenter.
While training as a carpenter, he began making cuatros, the traditional stringed instrument of Puerto Rico, as well as guitars. In 1941, seeking to further develop his career, he moved to New York City and worked as a woodworker in a shipyard. In the late 1940s, following the end of World War II, he established his own guitar workshop in Manhattan. In 1972, he returned to Puerto Rico, and later moved to Florida, where he continued making guitars throughout his life.
Velázquez studied the finest instruments by Antonio de Torres, Santos Hernández, and Hermann Hauser I in great depth, seeking to combine their respective strengths in the creation of highly refined concert guitars. Many of his instruments were based on Hauser's patterns, while his headstocks also show a strong influence from Hauser I, characterized by clean, straight lines and a distinctive V-shaped carving at the center.
Uncompromising Craftsmanship:
Renowned for his uncompromising craftsmanship and crystal-clear, transparent tone, Velázquez earned the distinction of being called the “American Hauser.”

Through extremely precise adjustments to the thickness of the soundboard and the arrangement of the fan bracing, he achieved an exceptional balance of volume and sustain across all six strings. His guitars responded remarkably well even to a light touch, while producing powerful projection capable of carrying a clear, focused sound to the very back of a large concert hall.
His instruments became highly regarded among leading American guitarists and collectors. The legendary Andrés Segovia also visited his workshop and greatly admired the Hauser-style guitars he produced.
Velázquez made approximately 1,000 guitars during his lifetime, each built entirely by his own hands to exceptionally high standards. His remarkable tradition continues today through his son Alfredo and daughter Graciela, both of whom trained in his workshop and carry on his legacy.