Description
Here is a rarity: a 1962 Manuel Velazquez 'El Clasico Special' Classical Guitar from his East 23rd shop in NYC, with Brazilian Rosewood and European Spruce.
While he is best known for his hand built professional concert grade instruments, between 1961 and 1964 the incorporated M. Velazquez Guitars, Inc. produced several models of guitars as discussed below.
This 1962 'El Clasico Special' guitar is one of these models, with woods chosen and tops tuned by Velazquez and assembled by skilled apprentices. This guitar is in overall good condition and has definitely been played over the years. The finish on the back of the neck is quite worn from the player's thumb, but otherwise the finish is in good shape. At some point in the past two cracks appeared in the top and these were cleated and the top finish touched up. The guitar plays very well and has a wonderfully full, rich sound.
Sold with its original black hard shell case.
Materials and Construction
For these production guitars, Velazquez used a German approach to construction, with a dovetail neck joint rather than a Spanish-style slipper foot. The top is European Spruce, paired with Brazilian Rosewood for the sides, back, head plate and bridge. The body blocks and neck are Mahogany; the top bracing is Spruce while the back braces are Spanish Cedar. The 650mm scale length fingerboard is Ebony.
Hardware on a guitar like this is a short list, and the only entry is a set of tuners by Klaus Landstorfer.
About Manuel Velazquez
Manuel Velazquez (February 20, 1917 - April 3, 2014) was regarded as one of the finest classical guitar builders of the last century. Born in Puerto Rico, Velazquez built (and sold) his first guitar at age 12. He continued building and moved to New York City in 1941. Over the following decades he earned a reputation as a master.
From 1961 to early 1964, Velazquez and business partners incorporated a production workshop on East 23rd Street. Here, guitars were assembled by apprentices under supervision by Velazquez who also selected all woods and voiced every top. Every completed guitar was played by New York concert guitarists Rolando and Albert Valdés-Blain to verify tone and playability.
This arrangement ended in early 1964 and Velazquez returned to Puerto Rico to once again build on his own, moving to Winter Springs, Florida in the 1990s. His last known guitars were built when he was at least 91, and he died in 2014 at age 97, having been building for over 80 years.
Take the time to watch this short documentary about Manuel Velazquez!
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: El Clasico Special
- Instrument Manufacturer: M. Velazquez Guitars, Inc.
- Instrument year: 1962
- Instrument Finish: Natural Gloss
- Instrument Class: Nylon String Classical Guitar
- Instrument serial number: J24, built during 1962 at 205 East 23rd Street NYC
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Good, cosmetic play wear and top cracks repaired long ago
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 3.256 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 1.48 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 25.59 in
- Scale Length Metric: 650 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 2.07 in
- Nut Width Metric: 52.6 mm
- CITIES Documentation Required: Yes
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Items in Case: N/A
- Case Type: Black Hard Shell
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 191082
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |