Marcelino Lopez Nieto Classical Guitar (1965)
LOADING IMAGES
Marcelino Lopez Nieto Classical Guitar (1965), made in Madrid, Spain, serial # 428B, natural varnish finish, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, cedar top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, molded fiberglass hard shell case.
This authentic 1960s Spanish instrument is the creation of Marcelino Lopez Nieto, one of Spain's most respected and accomplished later 20th century luthiers. Like many Spanish luthiers in Spain, Marcelino worked as a cabinet maker before making guitars, which began because when studying with Daniel Fortea (himself a pupil of Tarrega) he wanted a fine guitar but could not afford one. Largely self-taught, he established his own workshop in Madrid in 1949.
Marcelino Lopez Nieto was included on Summerfield's list of the finest guitar makers since 1800. His classical guitars are considered to have a soulful traditional Spanish character; he was one of the few Madrid builders who did not adopt the large body Ramirez styles, building more traditionally older styled instruments. He generally used well aged woods (sometimes drying 20 to 25 years) giving his guitars a rich, clear and open sound. Marcelino was a complete luthier, hand building not only classical and flamenco guitars but also lutes, baroque guitars, Romantic guitars, a harp and even several violins as well. Marcelino Lopez Nieto died in April 2018 at 87, having been fabricating and restoring guitars for around 70 years.
This lovely instrument was hand built by him in 1965, it is a beautiful classic Spanish guitar in an even older tradition. The back and sides are beautifully grained Brazilian rosewood with a dramatic swooping figure, the top fine grained cedar. The fan braving of the top is extremely light and delicate. The varnish finish is very thin and the guitar has a deep, warm sound uncommon in more modern instruments. Internally the guitar bears his label and a double hand ink stamp. This is a superb guitar for the more traditional-minded player who prizes warmth and depth of tone over sheer volume, a lovely throwback to an earlier age of classical playing styles.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 5/8 in. (651 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This 60 year old guitar shows its age and some play time with a deep ambering of the all original varnish finish, especially on the top and some general wear. This all-original finish is VERY thin; it has darkened over the decades the top and back have dings, scuffs and fingernail marks and a few deeper scratches and scrapes. The back of the neck is fairly well worn through in the center.
There is a very old headstock repair above the nut to the area of the splice at the back of the peghead where the peghead graft was joined to the neck. This caused several smaller cracks through the sides and back of the slotted headstock below the E tuners. The entire area was solidly but visibly repaired decades ago, polished out but with no added finish. The guitar was not affected in any functional way and there are no other cracks to the instrument.
The original bridge has also been visibly reglued and is completely solid. This is a lovely player with the traditional old-school Madrid sound, lush and rich but with a good amount of projection as well. It would make a fine Bossa Nova or accompaniment instrument, and is a delight to play in any style. It includes a good molded Visesnut travel case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This authentic 1960s Spanish instrument is the creation of Marcelino Lopez Nieto, one of Spain's most respected and accomplished later 20th century luthiers. Like many Spanish luthiers in Spain, Marcelino worked as a cabinet maker before making guitars, which began because when studying with Daniel Fortea (himself a pupil of Tarrega) he wanted a fine guitar but could not afford one. Largely self-taught, he established his own workshop in Madrid in 1949.
Marcelino Lopez Nieto was included on Summerfield's list of the finest guitar makers since 1800. His classical guitars are considered to have a soulful traditional Spanish character; he was one of the few Madrid builders who did not adopt the large body Ramirez styles, building more traditionally older styled instruments. He generally used well aged woods (sometimes drying 20 to 25 years) giving his guitars a rich, clear and open sound. Marcelino was a complete luthier, hand building not only classical and flamenco guitars but also lutes, baroque guitars, Romantic guitars, a harp and even several violins as well. Marcelino Lopez Nieto died in April 2018 at 87, having been fabricating and restoring guitars for around 70 years.
This lovely instrument was hand built by him in 1965, it is a beautiful classic Spanish guitar in an even older tradition. The back and sides are beautifully grained Brazilian rosewood with a dramatic swooping figure, the top fine grained cedar. The fan braving of the top is extremely light and delicate. The varnish finish is very thin and the guitar has a deep, warm sound uncommon in more modern instruments. Internally the guitar bears his label and a double hand ink stamp. This is a superb guitar for the more traditional-minded player who prizes warmth and depth of tone over sheer volume, a lovely throwback to an earlier age of classical playing styles.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 14 5/8 in. (37.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 5/8 in. (651 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This 60 year old guitar shows its age and some play time with a deep ambering of the all original varnish finish, especially on the top and some general wear. This all-original finish is VERY thin; it has darkened over the decades the top and back have dings, scuffs and fingernail marks and a few deeper scratches and scrapes. The back of the neck is fairly well worn through in the center.
There is a very old headstock repair above the nut to the area of the splice at the back of the peghead where the peghead graft was joined to the neck. This caused several smaller cracks through the sides and back of the slotted headstock below the E tuners. The entire area was solidly but visibly repaired decades ago, polished out but with no added finish. The guitar was not affected in any functional way and there are no other cracks to the instrument.
The original bridge has also been visibly reglued and is completely solid. This is a lovely player with the traditional old-school Madrid sound, lush and rich but with a good amount of projection as well. It would make a fine Bossa Nova or accompaniment instrument, and is a delight to play in any style. It includes a good molded Visesnut travel case. Overall Very Good + Condition.