1997 Alfredo Velazquez SP/IN

Alfredo Velazquez has been building guitars for over 20 years, and learned the craft from one of the most important builders in North America - his legendary father Manuel Velazquez. This instrument is very typical of the classic Velazquez style - lightweight build, with sound that is strongly reminiscent of the "teutonic" style as developed by Hermann Hauser I and carried on by Hermann Hauser II - sparkling trebles and firm, steady basses are the standout tonal qualities. Fans of Julian Bream's sound will immediately identify with this instrument. The top features a beautiful piece of very dense and tight-grained quarter-sawn spruce, and the back and sides are made from a handsome set of East Indian rosewood. Playability is very easy thanks to the sleek shape and contour of the neck. We consider Manuel Velazquez, and now his son Alfredo to be among the most important American makers to date and their best instruments are, in our opinion, equal to the best of the European makers.