The luthier Manuel de Soto y Solares (1844-1906) shared a close association with Antonio de Torres during their years in Seville, where their workshops were conveniently located just a few doors apart on Calle Cerrageria. When Torres decided to take a step back and moved back to Almeria in 1870, those in search of a guitar in the Torres style turned to Manuel de Soto y Solares. Many prominent flamenco guitarists of that era, such as Juan Breva, Paco de El Luna, and maestro Pérez, embraced and performed with his guitars. Even Tárrega, a renowned figure in classical guitar, acquired one of his instruments.

This particular Manuel de Soto y Solares guitar appears to have been crafted around 1906. It was originally obtained from the estate of luthier Marcelino Lopez Nieto, who had initiated the restoration process. The restoration was subsequently completed by my friend Aaron Garcia Ruiz in Granada. Although the guitar itself is relatively small and may have been intended for a child, its scale length of 585 mm suggests it could have served as a requinto. Nevertheless, it performs exceptionally well in standard tuning, showcasing its splendid musical capabilities.