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Zavaleta's La Casa de Guitarras specializes in Spanish flamenco and classical guitars made in Spain. We know flamenco guitars and carry carefully selected inventory of handmade flamenco instruments built by individual Spanish luthiers. Because we are a guitar dealer not a retail store, our guitars are not those left after thousands of buyers have looked at them. We have no pound puppies.  If we do not have what you want in stock, we can easily place an order for you with any of the Spanish guitar makers we handle.  For our overseas clients, while you are welcome to buy from our U.S. inventory, we can offer you substantial saving by shipping directly from Spain. Arizona residents are subject to state sales taxes. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.  

PURCHASE POLICY: Guitars shipped pre-paid on 48 hr. approval, 30 day exchange.

GUITARS SHIPPED DHL IN THE CONTINENTAL USA FOR $35.00

 NOTE guitars imported Spain and used guitars listings from Europe are priced in Euros. Our U.S. dollar prices follow Euro exchange rates. Use convert to check current exchange rate. If it is different from our listed U.S. price, we will honor which ever is lower.  Updated May 15, 2008

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Featured Flamenco Guitar

2005 Santos Bayon Concert Flamenco Guitar. The Spanish luthier Santos Bayon Ruiz is the grand nephew of Santos Hernandez and continues to work in Santos Hernandez actual workshop using his tools and forms. The family inherited not just the workshop, but some Santos Hernandez guitars which obviously he studied very closely. The result is a superb instrument which recognizes one instantly has having the Santos Hernandez sound.  In fact, they compare well with the Santos Hernandez flamenco guitars I have in my own collection. The trebles are clear, focused, and intense. The mid-range is likewise strong and full bodied. The basses are firm, resonant, and crisp. The action is perfect for flamenco.

 2005 Santos Bayon Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano

 

 
 

 

 

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NOTE: Sound bites cannot accurately provide an indication of a guitar's true volume. Although differences in the tonal character of instruments can be discerned,  the accuracy tonal quality of the sound samples depends greatly on how good a sound system you have. 

 

New Flamenco Guitars

2006 Rafael Romero Model 1E (Especial) Concert Flamenco Guitar.  I discovered Rafael Romero Barroso on a recent trip to Spain. Born in 1963 in the province of Cadiz, this Spanish luthier was a professional flamenco guitarists before he found his true vocation as a guitar maker. As a luthier,  Rafael  brings the sensibilities of a professional guitarists to his craft.  The model 1 E is an  handmade flamenca guitar made using made with the highest quality materials. This handmade flamenco guitar is beautifully crafted, and offers a bright, raucous, flamenco sound with great rasp and burn. It has great crisp, deep basses, a rich vibrant mid-range, and trebles to die for.  Rafael really know how to set up a flamenco guitar, so it is a joy to play. 

 

2006 Rafael Romero 1E concert flamenco guitar played by Gaetano

 3,000 EURO

Convert

$4,650 US

2008 Jesus Bellido 1a Concert Flamenco Guitar. Jesus Bellido is the son of the Granada guitar maker Manuel Lopez Bellido, and is a fine luthier in his own right. This concert flamenco model is French polished and made from fine master grade woods. It has a authentic flamenco tone, with a great throaty rasp. It is among the most powerful flamenco guitars I have ever played. The basses are solid, full, profound, and crisp. The trebles possess great clarity, and are full  bodied,  incisive, and focused. This guitar sings in every register without losing power. This guitar compares well with ones twice its price.

ARCHIVE Jesus Bellido 1a Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano

 3,000 EURO

Convert

$4,650 US

Just Arrived

2008 Jesus Bellido 1a Concert Flamenco Guitar. Jesus Bellido is the son of the Granada guitar maker Manuel Lopez Bellido, and is a fine luthier in his own right. This concert flamenco model is French polished and made from fine master grade woods. It has a authentic flamenco tone, with a great throaty rasp. It is among the most powerful flamenco guitars I have ever played. The basses are solid, full, profound, and crisp. The trebles possess great clarity, and are full  bodied,  incisive, and focused. This guitar sings in every register without losing power. This guitar compares well with ones twice its price.

ARCHIVE Jesus Bellido 1a Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano

 

 3,000 EURO

Convert

$4,650 US

Just Arrived

2008 Vicente Carrillo 1a Paco de Lucia Model Concert Flamenco Guitar. The workmanship on this instrument is impeccable, and tone wise the guitar is simply jaw dropping.  Vicente picked this guitar to bring to the 2008 NAMM show -- an international show for music dealers -- to demo his 1a Paco de Lucia model. Obviously he chose a very special guitar for this. The set up is ideal. fast, comfortable.  It is responsive, the trebles have a sizzle that is to die for, the basses crisp, and the intonation true. The rasp is powerful. This guitar has a true flamenco soul, it speaks duende.

 

2008 Vicente Carrillo 1a Paco de Lucia model concert flamenco guitar played by Gaetano

 3,250    EURO   

 Convert

$5,000 US

 

2007 Jose Ruiz Pedregosa Concert Flamenco Guitar  The Spanish luthier Jose Ruiz Pedregosa is the disciple of the famous guitar maker, Jeronimo Peña Fernandez, whose guitars are played by many leading flamenco players. Jose follows the design of his teacher faithfully.  I have compared José Ruiz Pedregosa's flamenco guitars head to head with that of flamenco Gerundino Fernandez that sell in excess of $7,500 and found that I liked that of  José Ruiz Pedregosa more. His handmade flamenco guitars are powerful, incensive, full-bodied, with a great rasp. Duende to make you weep, and set up for a professional flamenco guitarists. A coral version of this guitar with machines in due in soon.

     2007 José Ruiz Pedregosa Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano  

 

 

DUE IN

 

 

2006 Hermanos Conde Professional Concert Flamenco Guitar. This fine professional flamenco guitar is from the original Hermanos Conde shop on Gravina which is currently run by Faustino's widow. The Hermanos Conde, (Faustino, Mariano, and Julio) were trained by their uncle Domingo Esteso (1882-1937), one of this century's greatest guitar makers. The Gravina shop's master craftsmen continue to build the same models of classical and flamenco guitars that made the Conde name famous. This guitar offers the qualities that the Conde Hermanos made famous: great playability, and the dry bark and responsiveness that flamenco players love.

 

  2006 Hermanos Conde professional concert flamenco guitar played by Gaetano

3,750  EURO

Convert

$5,800 US

2004 José Romero 1a Concert Flamenco Guitar. The Spanish luthier José Romero is another of the fine craftsmen who learned their trade in the workshop of José Ramirez, but is now concentrating on making his mark in the world of flamenco guitars.  This is  impeccably crafted, handmade guitar uses fine woods of the highest quality. This guitar possess a wonderful, burning flamenco voice, and great snarl. The trebles are clear and concentrated. The basses are firm. The balance between trebles and basses is excellent. All of this, in a very musical instrument-- that possess all the qualities one expects in a great flamenco guitar. I hand carried this guitar back from Spain! It's that special. 
 

2004 Jose Romero Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano

 3,750 EURO

Convert

$5,800 US

2005 Pedro Maldonado 1a Especial Concert Flamenco Guitar. Pedro Maldonado was born in Loja, Granada in 1929. He apprenticed first with the luthier Manuel de la Chica, and later with Miguel Robles, who he credits as being his primary teacher. In 1959, he open his own workshop, and currently builds with his sons Pedro and Luis. His flamenco instruments are highly esteemed in flamenco circles. They have all the qualities one would expect of a good flamenco guitar: power, burn, snarl, firm crisp basses, brilliant vibrant trebles, but also refinement and loveliness of tone. These qualities have led many leading flamenco artists to use his instruments, including Vícente Amigo,  Pepe Romero, Manuel Cano, Sergio Lara, Diego Vargas, Strunz and Farah, and many more. This is his top of the line flamenca negra 1a- especial.

  2005 Pedro Maldonado 1a-especial flamenca negra played by Gaetano

 

  

Sold

 

 

 

 

2005 Santos Bayon Concert Flamenco Guitar. The Spanish luthier Santos Bayon Ruiz is the grand nephew of Santos Hernandez and continues to work in Santos Hernandez actual workshop using his tools and forms. The family inherited not just the workshop, but some Santos Hernandez guitars which obviously he studied very closely. The result is a superb instrument which recognizes one instantly has having the Santos Hernandez sound.  In fact, they compare well with the Santos Hernandez flamenco guitars I have in my own collection. The trebles are clear, focused, and intense. The mid-range is likewise strong and full bodied. The basses are firm, resonant, and crisp. The action is perfect for flamenco.

 2005 Santos Bayon Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano

 

4,250  EURO

 Convert

$6,575 US

 

 

2007 Pedro Maldonado F1 Concert Flamenco Guitar. The Spanish luthier Pedro Maldonado was born in Loja, Granada in 1929. He apprenticed first  with Manuel de la Chica, and later with Miguel Robles,  who he credits as being his primary teacher. In 1959, he open his own workshop, and currently builds with his sons Pedro and Luis. His flamenco guitars are highly esteemed in flamenco circle. They have all the qualities one would expect of a good flamenco guitar: power, burn, snarl, firm crisp basses, brilliant vibrant trebles, but also refinement and loveliness of tone. These qualities have led many leading flamenco artists to  use his guitars, including Vícente Amigo,  Pepe Romero, Manuel Cano, Sergio Lara, Diego Vargas, Strunz and Farah, and many more.
 
 
 2007 F1 Pedro Maldonado Concert Flamenco played by Gaetano

 

 SOLD

 

 
2007 Pedro Maldonado F1 Concert Flamenco Cutaway Guitar. Pedro Maldonado was born in Loja, Granada in 1929. He apprenticed first with Manuel de la Chica, and later with Miguel Robles, who he credits as being his primary teacher. In 1959, he open his own workshop, and currently builds with his sons Pedro and Luis. His flamenco guitars are highly esteemed in flamenco circle. They have all the qualities one would expect of a good flamenco guitar: power, burn, snarl, firm crisp basses, brilliant vibrant trebles, but also refinement and loveliness of tone. These qualities have led many leading flamenco artists to  use his guitars, including Vícente Amigo,  Pepe Romero, Manuel Cano, Sergio Lara, Diego Vargas, Strunz and Farah, and many more. This is his top of the line cypress flamenco cutaway with a special rosette.
 
2007 F1 Pedro Maldonado Cutaway  played by Gaetano
 
 

 4,350 EURO

Convert

$6,750 US

2006 Rafael Moreno Concert Flamenca Negra Guitar. This Granada based luthier is one of the top up-and-coming makers from Andalucia. Pepe and Celin Romero have recently acquired several of his instruments and expect to see several more top players playing them in the future. This flamenca negra guitar has three piece beautiful back made of Indian rosewood. The Hauser style hand engraved Rubner tuners. Rafael tells me that he lent this guitar to his good friend Pepe Habichuela  to do a concert. Unfortunately, Pepe put a couple of nail marks on the top. Although Rafael has polished over them, and they are barely visible,  if one knows where to look, they can be discerned. Consequently, we have discounted this guitar by several hundred dollars. This is one of the strongest flamenca negras to come through in a long time. It has a wonderful voice, great color, trebles that strike out, basses that are firm and crisp, and true flamenco rasp.
 
  2006 Rafael Moreno Concert Flamenca Negra played by Gaetano
 

 4,750 EURO

 Convert

$7,350 US

2007 Juan Miguel Gonzalez Concert Flamenco Guitar. This wonderful flamenca blanca was built by Juan Miguel Gonzalez who is widely recognized as one of the great flamenco guitar makers living today. His guitars have a special duende professional flamenco players seek and love. To name but a few of his clients: Tomatito, Norberto Torres, Monolo Franco, Carlos Piñana, and El Niño de la Manola. As is typical of the guitars made by Juan Miguel Gonzalez instruments, this instrument is made of master grade woods. Its top is made using the best tight-grained German spruce, the back and sides are made from impeccable Spanish cypress.  This guitars 650mm scale and 52mm nut is characteristic. The set up is a flamenco player's dream-- low, fast, without buzz. The guitar is responsive in all registers. It explodes with power, and has the rasp that defines flamenco guitar.

2007 Juan Miguel Gonzalez  played by Gaetano

 6,000 EURO 

Convert

$9,300 US

Used Flamenco Instruments

1998 Miguel Malo Concert Flamenco Guitar. Born in Madrid in 1943, the Spanish luthier Miguel Malo was introduced into the world of guitar makers at an early age.  In 1959, Miguel began as an apprentice at Ramirez, as a pupil of Paulino Bernabe and Mariano Tezanos Sr. He also was trained by and later worked with such veteran luthiers as his uncle Antonio Martinez Ortega and Alfonso de Benito. Because of his aptitude within 6 months he had built his first bandurria; and within another year he had made his first guitar without assistance. In 1962, at age 19, because of his fast progression and skill, Jose Ramirez promoted him to a oficial de primero, or master craftsman. Miguel continued to work for Ramirez until 1993 when financial troubles at Ramirez forced him and many others to become independent craftsmen, and setup their own workshops. This handmade professional flamenco guitar was built by Miguel Malo in 1998. The label is signed, dated, and numbered, no 17. It is in excellent condition. According to its owner, it has no cracks, and needs no repairs. The action is comfortable, but there is sufficient bone in the saddle to adjust the action if desired.

 

 

 

2,500 EURO

  Convert

$3,875 US

 

1972 Jose Lopez Bellido Concert Flamenco guitar. This is simply a wonderful handmade concert flamenco guitar from Jose Lopez Bellido, one of Granada's leading and most respected guitar makers. This guitar has been recently restored by German Vazquez Rubio, who refreshed the French polish on the top, and sprayed lacquer on the back and sides, and fitted the guitar with a new golpeador. He repaired a couple of hairline cracks along the fingerboard, as well as couple 2-3 inch grain cracks abutting the purfling on the back. None of these repairs required cleats or splints, and all are invisible after the refinish. There are no cracks in the bouts, no separations or warpage otherwise. The sound of this instrument is typically Granada, very flamenco, and virtually indistinguishable from Manuel de la Chica's flamenco guitars. This professional flamenco guitar is set up well, and very reasonably priced as Jose Lopez Bellido guitars now new sell for over $6000.  

 SOLD

 

 

2005 German Vasquez Rubio 1a Flamenco Guitar. This German Vasquez Rubio has all one expects in a performance professional flamenco guitar. German Vasquez Rubio's guitars are played by such professionals as Jason Vieaux (on his five Nexus recordings), John Homquist, Rod Stuckey, Mclecan/Hamson duo, and Liona Boyd. This guitar is setup well, and is comfortable to play. This guitar is in as new condition, and would retail new for $4400. Comes with a hardcase.

 

 

 

 

$3,100 US

1998 Juan Alvarez Gil 1-F Model Professional Flamenco Guitar. This concert flamenco guitar, worthy of an artist, was made by Juan Alvarez Gil (1932-2001) in Madrid in 1998. Juan Alvarez began building guitars with his elder brother Lorenzo, a cabinet maker in 1946. As a young maker, Marcelo Barbero (1904-1955), one of the great guitar makers of the last century, became Juan's mentor, giving him advice and counsel from which he benefited enormously. In 1952, Juan Alvarez established his own workshop where he continued to work until his death in 2001. This is a truly an exceptional instrument: explosive power, bright, clear, and responsive in every register. Fast flamenco action and authentic sound.

 Juan Alvarez played by Paco de N.  

SOLD

US

 

1977 Jose Lopez Bellido Professional Flamenco Guitar. This is simply a wonderful handmade concert flamenco guitar from Jose Lopez Bellido, one of Granada's leading and most respected guitar makers. This guitar has been recently restored by German Vazquez Rubio, who sprayed lacquer on the back and sides, and French polished the top. He also repaired a  hairline crack along the treble side fingerboard, and splined a center seam crack on the back. None of these repairs required cleats or splints, and all are invisible after the refinish. The bridge was removed and re-set, and a new clear golpeador was fitted.. The sound of this instrument is typically Granada, very flamenco, and virtually indistinguishable from Manuel de la Chica's flamenco guitars. This is a professional flamenco guitar, with a comfortable set up. It is very reasonably priced as Jose Lopez Bellido guitars now new sell for well over $6,000.  

$3,375 US

2005 German Vasquez Rubio 1a Flamenca Negra Guitar. This German Vasquez Rubio has all one expects in a performance professional flamenco guitar. German Vasquez Rubio's guitars are played by such professionals as Jason Vieaux (on his five Nexus recordings), John Homquist, Rod Stuckey, Mclecan/Hamson duo, and Liona Boyd. This guitar is setup well, and is comfortable to play. This guitar is in as new condition, and would retails new for $5,000. Comes with a hardcase.
 

 

 

 

$3,475 US

1973 Alfonso Checa Concert Maple Flamenco Guitar.  This flamenca blanca was built by the late, great, Alfonso Checa. Born in 1914, Alfonso Checa Plaza was a guitar maker from Baza, a town in the province of Granada, who opened his workshop in 1935.  During his life he was a renowned maker, and had won a first prize medal for his guitars at the International Exposition in Madrid in 1953 as well as first prize later in an exposition in Ronda. He trained his sons Jose and Vicente Checa, Vicente Perez Checa, Antonio Ruiz, and Pedro Martínez Peñalver. Pedro Martinez Peñalver started with him as an apprentice in 1962, and took over his workshop after his death in 1977. As Baza is a small provincial town, Checa made guitars for other makers, notably for Gerundino Fernandez, Jose Ramirez, Luis Aróstegui, and Benito Ferrer.   Recognized as one of the master builders in Granada, his guitars have a duende professional flamenco players seek and love. As is typical of Checa's instruments, this guitar is made of master grade woods. Its top is made using the best tight-grained German spruce, the back and sides are made from impeccable European maple. Until 1930s when the depression made maple prohibitively expensive, maple was frequently used for the finest flamenco guitars. The neck is perfectly straight. The action is setup for flamenco at 3.5mm, but could be easily lowered if so desired. The guitar has been recently restored by German Vasquez Rubio, who repolished the face, re-fretted the guitar, including re-planning the fingerboard, repaired hairline cracks on either side of the fingerboard, and fitted the guitar with a new golpeador.

$4,000 US

 

1987 Pedro Martinez Peñalver Concert Flamenca Negra Guitar. This high quality flamenca negra was built by Pedro Martinez Penalver, a guitar maker from Baza, a town in the province of Granada. In 1962 Pedro Martinez Peñalver began his apprenticed with Alfonso Checa (1914-1977), who is recognized as having been one of the master luthiers in Granada.  After Checa's death, Pedro took over his workshop. Pedro Martinez Penalver's guitars have a duende professional flamenco players seek and love. The guitar is a show piece of the luthier's art with its carved headstock and bridge. As is typical of his instruments, this guitar is made of master grade woods. Its top is made using the best tight-grained German spruce, the back and sides are made from premium grade Indian rosewood. Note this guitar is in Belgium.

 

 

$4,250 US

1973 Jeronimo Peña Fernández Concert Flamenco Guitar. Jose Pena Fernandez (b. 1933) is a well-known luthier in flamenco circles, and his guitars are played by such great flamenco players as Monolo Sanlucar, Manolo Escobar, and Enrique Montoya. Jeronimo Peña Fernandez, who is among the few luthiers to whom Luis F. Leal Pinar devotes an entire chapter in "Guitarreros de Andalucia" (2004) is now semi-retired, and no longer exports, although he continues to build instruments for collectors. He is also trained Jose Ruiz Pedregosa. This guitar has been used by flamenco players so bears the usual signs: nail marks, particularly noticeable in front of golpeador (tap plate), shallow capo marks on the back of the neck. There is enough bone in the saddle so that the action can be lowered further if so desired. The neck is straight, there are no cracks, nor does the guitar require any repairs.

 

 

 $4,800 US

 

 

2000 Gerundino Fernandez Concert Flamenco Guitar. This is an authentic flamenca blanca, built by the late, great, Gerundino Fernández. Recognized as one of the few master builders of the 20th century, his guitars have a special duende professional flamenco players seek and love. To name but a few of his clients: Paco de Lucia, Tomatito, and Paco Peňo. As is typical of Gerundino's instruments, this guitar is made of master grade woods. Its top is made using the best tight-grained German spruce, the back and sides are made from impeccable Spanish cypress. This guitar's form and size is signature Gerundino. He built large bodied guitars, with full upper bouts, and long scale lengths. This guitars 660mm scale and 54mm nut is characteristic. The set up is low to medium. The guitar is responsive in all registers. It is in excellent condition, save a few minor nicks that do not penetrate the finish. It is been cared for meticulously by its owner who acquired it directly from Gerundino Fernandez. This guitar is among the most desired flamenco guitars on the market, and is priced to sell quickly.  

 

 $7,500  US

 

 

C. 1900 Manuel Ramirez Flamenco Guitar. Manuel Ramirez (1864-1916) in his time was far more famous a guitar maker than was his brother, José Ramirez I (1858-1923), the founder of the Ramirez dynasty. Manuel trained a generation of great luthiers: Enrique Garcia, Santos Hernandez, Modesto Borreguero, and Domingo Esteso, and is also remembered for his gift of a fabulous classical guitar to a young Andrés Segovia in 1912. Manuel learned his craft from his brother José, who had been taught by  Francisco González (c1818-c1880). In 1882,  José and Manuel opened their workshop in the Rastro of  Madrid, on Cava Baja. Around 1890, Manuel decided to go out on his own, which led to a rift so deep that they never spoke again. In 1893, Manuel won a medal at the Chicago Fair for his work. In 1897, Ramirez moved his shop to Arlabán 10; and, in 1911 to Arlabán 11, where it remained until the death of his widow in 1920. This flamenco guitar was probably made some between 1897 and 1903, for by 1904 Manuel had been appointed as the luthier for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, a fact that afterwards he advertised on his labels.  This spanish guitar has cypress back and sides, German spruce top, and scale of 648mm. It weights almost nothing. The action is a flamenco player's dream. It is easy to see why flamenco players loved this sort of guitar, it balances easily on ones knee, and fits comfortably against one's chest when playing. Condition wise, the guitar is in very good condition. There is a little crack on the top that has been repaired, and another small repaired crack on the side. The action is very flamenco.  

 

SOLD

Please note because we sell worldwide the prices we quote under each maker are prior to export and do not include shipping costs etc. For those listed in our inventory, we have already paid shipping costs, import duties, broker's fees, so they are priced slightly higher than our world price. Price on all guitars includes their case.

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