Felix Manzanero (Madrid. b. 1937) is one of the great luthiers who came out of the Jose Ramirez III workshop. He had learned a little about guitar making from Modesto Borreguero (1893-1969)-- who been trained by Manuel Ramirez (1864-1916)-- and was a friend of the family. So, at the age of 14, when he learned the Ramirez shop was looking for someone, he applied.  Felix Manzanero began his apprenticeship under José Ramirez II (1885-1957) doing varnishing and building bandurrias, and worked along side Alfonso Benito and Jose Ramirez III, the only others in the shop. 

He recounts how he secretly made his first guitar out of scraps of wood he saved. When Ramirez saw it, he was impressed, and then allowed Felix to build guitars, eventually promoting him to a master craftsman. He worked for Ramirez until 1964, when following a dispute with Jose over his making guitars on this side, he decided to open his own workshop. His guitars have won such prestigious prizes as First Place in Acoustics in the Concurso Internacional de Maestros Guitarreros in Tarbes, France in 1989. Manzanero is mentioned as among the best guitar makers in Spain in books by Cano, Evans, Mairants, Morish, and Urlik  (See References). 

Felix Manzanero retired in 2010, and until recently his shop was closed. His son, Ivan Manzanero, (b. 1960), who trained under his father, and built his first guitar in 1979, decided recently to reopen the shop.

I originally sold this guitar to its present owner, and had watched Felix make its rosette, and so know this guitar well. This guitar number 1049 is a special piece in Felix’s ouvre— for it he decided to use a simple elegant rosette— one common in the 19th century— rather than his usual floral pattern. The guitar was made with a top that had reposed more than 25 years. The other woods were also similarly aged. The guitar has been lovingly cared for, and remains in excellent condition and voice, and aside from a few very minor dings, it is otherwise as new.

The action is properly set for flamenco, and is confortable to play.