Arcangel Fernandez　[アルカンヘル・フェルナンデス] classical

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Polyurethan
Finish(Back & Sides):Polyurethan
Tuning Machines:GOTOH
String Height(1st):3.0mm
String Height(6th):3.8mm

［Profile］
Arcangel Fernandez (b. 1931) was born in Madrid and is regarded as one of the leading Spanish guitar makers of the second half of the 20th century. He learned guitar making under Marcelo Barbero I, one of the most important successors to the Madrid tradition established by Manuel Ramírez and Santos Hernández.

Before becoming a luthier, Fernandez worked as a cabinetmaker and also played flamenco guitar. Around 1954, he began visiting Barbero’s workshop and subsequently became his pupil. Following Barbero’s death in 1956, Fernandez completed the remaining orders from his master’s workshop and established his own workshop in Madrid in 1957.

From the 1960s, Barbero’s son Marcelo Barbero Hijo (1943–2005) also worked in the workshop. In addition to instruments made under Fernandez’s own name, the workshop produced instruments bearing the “Para Casa Arcangel Fernandez” label, with makers including Barbero Hijo, Manuel Cáceres, and Pedro Valbuena contributing to their construction.

Fernandez was known for his uncompromising approach to materials, craftsmanship, and acoustical performance. His instruments are particularly valued for their high level of construction and distinctive, concentrated Spanish tonal character. He retired from guitar making in 2011, and his instruments are now increasingly scarce.

［Instrument Information］
This is a 1992 Arcangel Fernandez Classical Model, a fine example of Fernandez’s mature work. The instrument combines the concentrated, highly defined tonal character associated with his guitars with a relatively light and responsive attack.

The sound has considerable density and clarity, with each note retaining a distinct identity without becoming blurred. The bass is deep, composed, and elegant, while the trebles have a clear and firm character. The response to the player’s hands is particularly good, allowing subtle changes in touch to be reflected directly in the sound.

The guitar follows the characteristic bracing design used for Fernandez’s classical models. Two harmonic bars are positioned above and below the soundhole, while thin concentric reinforcement is applied around the soundhole area. The lower soundboard incorporates six fan braces, arranged around a central brace, together with reinforcement beneath the bridge area.

On this particular instrument, the bridge reinforcement and fan braces are slightly thinner than Fernandez’s usual specification, contributing to the comparatively light response and quick attack. The resonance is set between G and G♯.

There is no significant history of cracks or major modifications. Minor playing marks can be found beside the fingerboard and on the treble side of the soundhole, with some string marks below the bridge in the 1st- and 2nd-string area. The back and sides show slight finish wear and localized discoloration in areas that contact the player’s body, while only minor fingernail marks are present on the back of the neck. Considering its age, the instrument remains in generally good condition.

The neck and frets are in good condition. The neck has a flat D-shaped profile with a moderate thickness, offering a familiar and comfortable grip. The 12th-fret action measures 3.0 mm on the 1st string and 3.8 mm on the 6th string, with approximately 1.0–2.0 mm of saddle remaining.

The original Fustero tuners have been replaced with Gotoh tuners in a Bouchet-style design. They are currently functioning properly.