Born in Madrid in 1926, Manuel Contrerasjoined the Ramirez workshop as a senior journeyman in 1959. It was Contreras who made the first José Ramirez guitar Andrés Segovia bought in 1960. After three years with Ramirez, Manuel opened his own guitar workshop in the center of Madrid.  He soon earned a reputation as one of the finest and most innovative luthiers in Spain. Contreras died in 1994 of cancer. This handmade concert classical guitar is from his best period, and is signed by Manuel Contreras Sr. It is generally in very good condition, no cracks, straight neck, but it does have some finish wear consistent with this guitar's age and active use--  there is some glazing of the finish, and finger nail dents from "golpes, and assorted other surface finish scratches, nothing deep." The set up is very comfortable, and there is sufficient bone in the saddle to make adjustments should this ever be necessary. This a powerful, concert guitar, with great sustain and separation, each note comes across as distinct. The upper registers do not become plinky and notes remain full and mellow. The intonation is excellent.