Powerful Rozas Brazilian Rosewood Classical Guitar 650 Start Price USD 9,999.00 Current Price USD 9,999.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, June 24, 2008 End Time Friday, July 04, 2008 Location Nashville, Tennessee See more about 'Powerful Rozas Brazilian Rosewood Classical Guitar 650' Description Greetings from Jerry Roberts in Nashville,Thanks for taking time to consider one of dozens of fine classical guitars I have in stock for sale.  Up for bid is a top level concert instrument handmade in Spain by Ignacio M. Rozas in 1992. This is his top model, not one of the "estudio" models mentioned in my little essay at the end of this description. Made with old growth  top quality Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, a top quality Western Red Cedar top, and his highest level of ornamentation. It has the mosaic of the rosette echoed on the tie block of the bridge. Purfling around the top has a  tasteful herringbone pattern and fine purfling lines as well. Rozas also adds a unique touch to his top model guitars......an ebony cap at the end of the peghead in the shape of a bullfighters cap. Beautifully engraved Fustero gears.  No cracks, warps or structural problems of any kind. Cedar soundboard has an array of fingernail marks, so if you are looking for a new looking guitar for your collection this is not it.  This guitar is ready for concert hall performances, and needs no repair of any kind. Scale is 650mm. Neck width at nut is 53mm.  String height is a standard 3mm at XII fret 1st string and 4mm at XII fret 6th string. Neck angle is perfect so there is room for me to set the string height to your preference by crafting a second bone saddle to include with the guitar. Body size is very large like a Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba. It is just big enough that it will not fit in many classical guitar cases. Fortunately I have the original Spanish made case which is included in this Auction. Now for the important characteristic of this guitar- the sound! This is an extremely responsive and powerful guitar. A small input from the player yields a big sound and tremendous warmth. Fan bracing style is the most proven of the Spanish tradition. This guitar is living proof that the worlds top builders can still produce a traditional guitar powerful and refined enough to hold its own against lattice patterns, balsa/carbon bracing, honeycomb sandwich soundboards, heavy sides with arched backs, and the like.  This guitar is right up there with the best guitars I have ever played, regardless of price.  Rozas is one of the most important living makers of the Madrid school.  Ignacio Rozas built in Ramirez Madrid shop from 1959 to 1969. Fine examples of Ramirez 1a guitars from the 60’s with his benchmark circled I. M. initials on the foot can still be seen in collections of fine vintage guitars. Then Rozas built in Contreras shop from 1970 until 1987 when he opened his own shop just a few doors down on the Calle de Mayor in Madrid.  If you would like a complete set of photos of this guitar I would be glad to email you a complete set. I accept USPS money orders. I also accept cashiers checks from BANK of AMERICA. If you insist on another form of payment, please get in touch before bidding and I will consider it.  I will consider foreign bidders on a case by case basis after reviewing your feedback, discussing method of payment. etc. You are welcome to come to Nashville to try this guitar in person. By comparing it to other fine guitars I have available, you con be assured that this is the right investment for you.  Packing, insurance and ground shipping to 48 states locations $129 & up.See my feedback and bid with confidence.      The following is a little essay I wrote to help buyers new to the classical guitar world avoid a common problem in shopping for a Madrid school guitar.Spanish Made "Student" Guitars    I can offer these words of caution from a five decade veteran of the classical guitar wars. Top Madrid makers, particularly Ramirez, Contreras, Manzanero, Rozas & Bernabe,  have long sold “student models” as well as finer guitars made in their own shops.  Typically these "guitarras de estudio" are made by the lowest bidder in one of several good economy guitar workshops in Valencia. These shops, such as Esteve, Raimundo,  Alhambra,  might  have 50 employees.  Quality varies anwhere  from factory to handmade depending on price. Street values starting around $500 US in 2008.  Guitars made  by these firms for the Madrid school makers usually share these characteristics:1) Shape carved into the end of the peghead differs fromguitars actually made in the Madrid shops. Makers save their trademark shape for their own output.2) Often no year of construction on the label.3) No signature on label.4) Label sometimes say “Estudio”  or “Guitarreria”or some other telltale phrase.5) Usually has a model #, Signed Madrid made models did not always have a model, especially before 1990’s6) Do not have the same chance of appreciation as a signed  instrument actually made by the maker named on the label.     In my opinion these fine Madrid makers are not trying to deceive anyone, but rather to get a slice of the market share in the entry level to medium price range. However many shoppers new to the classical guitar market have no way of knowing the difference without the advice of a seasoned expert. Also some owners of these guitars often either knowingly or unknowingly try to convince prospective buyers that the guitar was a Madrid made instrument. Many buyers acquire these guitars thinking they have bought the real thing, only to be disappointed when they find out thy did not buy the real thing.  While such a guitar is made in Spain, and is marketed by the maker named on the label, it is not MADE by the maker on the label. Guitars labeled Esteve, Raimundo, Alhambra, and other  good makers from the Valencian  province are for the most part a good value. When they bear the label of the actual shop that made them, they are available at a lower price than those made under contract for the Madrid school makers. In short, seek out the advice of an experienced expert before parting with your hard earned cash. I have photos of the pegheads etc. of most Madrid school makers and would be glad to email you a photo from my files if you are looking at a guitar and are not sure if you are seeing  a "real" Madrid made guitar or an "Estudio" Please feel free to be in touch with any further questions.thanksJerry Roberts   jroberts@lamancha.comwhen sending an email please mention classical guitar in the subject line. Place a Bid!