1962 Robert Bouchet (ex Karl Scheit): Spruce top, Brazilian back and sides. Bouchet made only about 156 guitars. This one has five fan struts which extend through a long harmonic bar under the bridge. Although the top is quite thin, it is a fairly heavy guitar. The tone is firm and the sustain is remarkable. Condition is very good and original. Photos

1964 Hernández y Aguado: Spruce top, Brazilian back and sides. I recall visiting this workshop in the early 70's. Even then these guitars were unobtainable. Along with Fleta, they were the most expensive guitars being made. HyA made big bodied, lightly constructed guitars They are powerful, lively and the trebles have a quality I can best describe as glassy. This is a wonderful example of their work in excellent, original condition. Photos

1986 Jose L. Romanillos: Spruce top, Brazilian back and sides. I consider Romanillos to be one of the great masters. This guitar is unusual because of the Brazilian rosewood. Most of his guitars are made with Indian. Romanillos experimented a lot with body size and depth but, always used a seven fan strut bracing. Sometimes, as with this guitar, the outside struts extend through the lower harmonic bar. This is a rather large bodied gutar for a Romanillos. The balance is near perfect, the sustain and power almost supernatural. It is in mint, original condition. Photos

1972 Ignacio Fleta e hijos: Ignacio Fleta was one of the great guitar makers and, in my opinion, the only builder to have made truely great cedar guitars. This one is just a few numbers away from the one John Williams used for many years. The sound is like silk, very sensuous. There seems to be a widespread belief that Fleta are hard to play. I have not found this to be true. This one plays very easily and is in mint original condition. Photos