Manuel Contreras

[billyboy]

Hi,

Where does Manuel Contreras fit in the Spanish makers category. Is his guitars worth buying, especial from say from 1967 to 1971.

BB

[ChristianSchwengeler]

Hi,

Manuel Contreras (the father)was a former Craftsman of the Ramirez workshop, if I remember right, who separate from them, the same as Paulino Bernabé(the father) did. Contreras has built many instruments of every kind of level and the name itself does not say anything without the model. This specific period is exactly when he started his own workshop. You should have much more information about the instrument. During a long time Contreras was considered one of world's top luthiers for classical guitar's and many famous players have used and still uses his instruments. His instruments are a typical Madrid style guitar even if he made a lot of different approaches over the time.

I hope this helps

Christian

[irfan]

About 20years ago, i worked as a guitar sale apprentice, at a shop in malaysia kl, the first shop introducing ramirez and contreras guitar.
I had tried many times these two brand guitar, including the top model, 1A, double top model.
In terms of tone, ease of playing, volume, contreras win ramirez.
But this is already many years ago. I seldom play ramirez now a days, most of the friend use other maker s guitar.

[hyz]

About 20years ago, i worked as a guitar sale apprentice, at a shop in malaysia kl, the first shop introducing ramirez and contreras guitar.
I had tried many times these two brand guitar, including the top model, 1A, double top model.
In terms of tone, ease of playing, volume, contreras win ramirez.
But this is already many years ago. I seldom play ramirez now a days, most of the friend use other maker s guitar.

I agree with your assessment. But when you start to add Bernabe into the equation, you will find Bernabe is probably even better than Contreras on many aspects.
hyz

[Panaman]

Hi guys,

I just bought a Contreras C1 in London. It's an absolute joy to play. Retail is around 2,000 British Pounds, but one can find good deals.

[Julian]

Be careful....!!!!!!

In the 60's, Manuel Contreras sub-contracted the guitars-making to Taurus, probably to cater to the beginners. The guitar is quite good. The materials are also excellent and the tone is not too bad, but of course it is not a Contreras guitar.

So this Taurus guitar put a Manual Contreras label, and the head shape is similar to Fleta but with round string slots (close to nut) - Fleta is with square string slots. The rosette and purflings is so bright and colorful. When you see this guitar, it isnot a Contreras guitar but a guitar with Contreras label made by Taurus.

I hope this helps.

Julian

[Echi]

Hi,
Of course a Taurus it is not a guitar made in the Contreras' workshop ( Taurus was a workshop lead by Antonio Picado, in Barcelona) but is worthy to say that they were often very good guitars, better than the average of their class. In Spain it is quite common to leave someone else to make the "student models" : the main advice is to take a look at the label: if there is the signature the guitar has been made in the luthier's workshop (but not necessarily by the main luthier), If not it's just a studio model.

[Aaron Green]

In the case of many Madrid makers, they subcontracted out to have their student guitars made by factories. Contreras continued to build his own guitars as did Bernabe but you do have to look a bit closer than the name on the label. For what its' worth, I have a completely mint 1970 cedar topped Bernabe that is absolutely incredible. It's definitely one made by him (I don't think he was bringing in student guitars at that point anyways) and is one of the best examples of the Madrid school I've encountered. The owner I am representing it for is a professional player, as was the man he got it from.

aaron