Juan Pagés (1741–1821) was not just a master luthier; he was a pioneer in the art of guitar-making. As one of the founding members of the Cádiz School, his instruments set a new standard for excellence. Today, Pagés guitars are incredibly rare treasures, sought after by collectors and historians alike. A few of these masterpieces are preserved in prestigious museums, such as the Museu de la Música in Barcelona and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 🎶

Given their age and historical significance, when I was offered a 1797 Juan Pagés guitar by a seller in Spain, even though it was missing pieces of the top and back, I jumped at the chance. I entrusted the Granada luthier and professor of musicology, Aaron Garcia Ruiz, to undertake a museum-quality restoration. The restoration was challenging and took almost two years to complete.

No good deed goes unpunished. We applied to the Spanish Ministry of Culture for permission to export it, and to my dismay, they declared it a national treasure. So while I may own it, it can only be sold within Spain to a buyer approved by the ministry.

I don't yet have the details of how this works, so at this point, it is not for sale. I plan to go to Spain and at least have the chance to play it before deciding what to do next.