1931 Domingo Esteso SP/IN

This guitar was made by Domingo Esteso, who along with fellow worker Santos Hernandez (from the Manuel Ramirez shop), was one of the greatest makers of the twentieth century. It features a unique and intricate rosette with mother-of-pearl inlay, as well as some busy inlay in the purfling on the top, the kinds of details that were reserved for his preumium instruments. Although this is a smaller guitar, with shorter scale length and more compact body dimensions than a normal full-sized Esteso, the volume of this instrument is huge, and the warm, rich, played-in sound is something that can only be found in an instrument of this vintage. The sound is absolutely magical from the bottom-end to the highest registers. It is plump, lyrical, very expressive and responsive to every subtly of the players touch. This is a very charming example from one of the greatest luthiers of the early 20th century.