José Luis Romanillos - 1984 "La Pagés"

José Luis Romanillos - 1984 "La Pagés"

Overview

About the luthier

José Luis Romanillos Vega was born in Madrid in 1932, where he began his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker at the age of thirteen. In 1956, he moved to England, working first in a hospital in Epsom and later in London. Five years after relocating, Romanillos crafted his first Spanish guitar in London. Encouraged by the renowned English guitarist Julian Bream in 1970, he established his own guitar-making workshop in the village of Semley, Wiltshire.

Romanillos quickly gained international acclaim for both the sound quality and aesthetic beauty of his guitars. His work is known for its pure tone and harmonic balance, capturing the essence of the subtle “Spanish sound.” The Daily Mail referred to him as “the Stradivari of the guitar,” while the Italian magazine Sei Corde called him “the most important living stringed instrument maker.” Throughout his career, he also taught courses on Spanish guitar making around the world and delivered lectures on the history and development of the vihuela de mano and the Spanish guitar. In 1995, Romanillos moved to Guijosa, near Sigüenza, in Spain. Alongside his wife Marian, he published *The Vihuela de Mano and the Spanish Guitar*, a comprehensive dictionary of Spanish stringed-instrument and guitar makers.

About the guitar

This stunning guitar, named La Pagés, is a true masterpiece from Romanillos’ celebrated 1980s period. Built in 1984 in Semley, it stands as a testament to his dedication to craftsmanship and tonal excellence. One of the rare few made with CITES-certified Brazilian rosewood for the back and sides, it also features exquisite marquetry on the back, enhancing its visual elegance.

The top of the guitar has a professionally repaired crack, stabilized by the Danish luthier Kenneth Brögger, ensuring the instrument remains in excellent playing condition. Tonally, this guitar offers exceptional clarity and balance across all registers, with a breathtaking subtlety in its tonal colors. The sound is both powerful and refined, embodying the pure Spanish tradition that Romanillos perfected. This unique instrument is a rare and valuable piece, making it a must-have for discerning collectors and professional musicians alike.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.

Luthier: José Luis Romanillos
Construction year: 1984
Construction type: Traditional
Top: Spruce
Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood (CITES certified)
Finish: French polish
Air body frequency: G #
Scale: 650 mm
Nut: 52 mm
Weight: 1440 grams
Tuners: Rodgers
Strings: Knobloch - EDC 34.0
Condition: Excellent
Case: Hiscox Pro II

Details about GPSR:

Classical Guitar

Manufacturer Information:

José Luis Romanillos

Responsible Person:

Siccas Guitars GmbH, Roonstr. 31, 76137 Karlsruhe, Germany, www.siccasguitars.com, info@siccasguitars.com

Note: For antique guitars, the GPSR does not apply.

View full details

Video overview

This Guitar Has Maria Callas' Voice! WGM #144 - Romanillos, Wagner, Woodfield, Ray, Hannabach
A Sound Impression: José Luis Romanillos – 1984 „La Pagés“ | Classical Guitar Demo
José Luis Romanillos – 1984 “La Pagés” Classical Guitar Review
Mateusz Kowalski plays Mazurka in B major op. 7 no. 1 by F. Chopin on a 1984 Josè Luis Romanillos
Eliška Lenhartová plays Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Tempo di minuetto from Sonata "Omaggio a Boccherini"
Wulfin Lieske plays Pièce sans Titre by Leo Brouwer on a 1984 José Luis Romanillos

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