All posts by Rodriguez Guitars
Months ago we announced with big excitement our recent partnership with Warner Music Spain. It was a great pleasure for us to drop some of our models in their studios and see how day by day our guitars are played by the talented hands of their musicians.
Our guitars come and go on the Warner studios. They sound with all its intensity in the acoustic shows popped up inside their walls, tour in the cases of the most nomad artists and act as faithful partners in the most musical photos. This way, every instrument is played by a great number of artists, all of them with its own style and personal touch.
From Manuel Rodriguez Guitarras we have to confess that we could not be happier with this partnership. Every luthier motivation is to know that the guitars they made are played, and feel how thousands of people listen every sound and melody created from its strings. This goal is 100% achieved at Warner studios as our guitars reach both emerging artists as well as more experienced ones and also international musicians.
We choose some of our many Warner artists who have played a Manuel Rodruiguez lately, like the impressive Diana Navarro, Miss Caffeina lead vocalist, Alberto Jimenez, Arco -El Puchero del Hortelano former member- or Molina Molina. And from the US, the band The Wild Feathers.
Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mehmet Şimşek, has been visiting Spain and Thursday May 5, building on its passage through the CEOE, our CEO, Manuel Rodriguez, did not want to lose the opportunity to be with him and give him a MR guitar as symbol of appreciation for the commitment of the Turkish nation with culture and more specifically, the Spanish guitar.
Turkish high office was visited by Manuel Rodriguez on a day which met with many politicians and business representatives. Some of the personalities with whom he was were the vice president of CEOE, José Vicente Gonzalez, also participated the Secretary of State for Trade, Jaime García-Legaz and director of International Chamber of Commerce of Spain, Alfredo Bonet.
At the beginning of April, Guitarras Manuel Rodríguez returned to the most important music fair in Europe: Musikmesse. With over 65,000 visitors and over 1000 stands divided between seven pavilions, every year it can feel like an immense obstacle course.
Our new booth and exhibit presentation attracted a lot of attention – thanks to our beautiful guitars and the presence of Spanish guitarist Raimundo Amador.
At the Frankfurt fair, distributors and visitors gave important recognition to the daily work carried out by the Manuel Rodríguez team. Without doubt, the company’s main distinguishing feature is the fact that their instruments are manufactured one hundred percent in Spain, specifically in Esquivas, Toledo. A manufacturing process with more than 110 years of tradition, it continues to evolve and innovate both in the manufacturing process and the creation of new models.
The first Manuel Rodriguez guitar was born in 1905 and we have been delighting the ears of people all around the world for more than 111 years! Thanks to our passion and quality, we have conquered more than 120 countries and hundreds of artists have felt in love with our instruments since then.
All our creations are the result of a strong commitment with the Spanish culture and tradition. That is why we produce every step of the manufacturing process exclusively in our factory in Esquivias, Toledo (Spain). All that experience helps the actual third generation of luthiers to build our guitars with the greatest care and an immense accumulated know-how resulting in the best Spanish sound of the market.
The best guitars need two essential elements; high quality exotic woods and the most experienced hands. Our team of luthiers use their knowledge, passion and creativity in every new piece. Our staff combines the tradition of the most veterans, working with us for more than 20 years, with the fresh air and innovation of the latest recruitments.
Our magnificent woods, some of them with more than 40 years, are another key element of Manuel Rodriguez Guitars. All our guitars are made with a solid front giving the best possible sonority and the classical and flamenco models are also decorated with rosettes and other custom handcrafted details.
We are the second oldest guitar brand in the world, we have helped to discover the Spanish guitar to a multitude of countries and now we are ready to go one step further! We are ready to present our new flamenco cajones, with the same Manuel Rodriguez essence; the best woods, a careful design and the most experienced hands.
BLOOMFIELD, CONNECTICUT, January 14, 2016 — Manuel Rodriguez Guitars (http://mrguitarras.es/en/) the renowned 110-year old crafter of the iconic Spanish guitars known around the world as a central contributor to “Brand Spain,” today announced the appointment of KMC Music (www.kmcmusic.com) to distribute exclusive models of Manuel Rodriguez guitars to its network of 6,000 resellers in United States, making it possible for dealers to offer their customers the greatest range of Rodriguez models in the company’s history.
“Our partnership with KMC Music is going to make it possible for more consumers than ever before to experience the beauty, the craftsmanship, and the unique performance characteristics of a Manuel Rodriguez guitar, regardless of the collection and model they choose,” said Manuel Rodriguez III, the third-generation CEO of Manuel Rodriguez Guitars. “The combination of our commitment to old-world craftsmanship and design and KMC Music’s ability to sell and support our line is going to make for a very powerful business relationship for many years to come.”
In accepting the appointment, KMC Music Vice President of Merchandising Roger Hart emphasized, “It is an honor to represent this storied line of classical Spanish guitars, which has, for more than 110 years, maintained the very highest standards of design, materials, and construction. Indeed, each and every Rodriguez guitar, handcrafted in Toledo, Spain, carries within it the very essence of Spanish history and culture. Our dealers will be equally thrilled to be able to present the Rodriguez collections to their discerning guitar enthusiast customers.”
The full range Rodriguez guitars are almost entirely handmade. Rodriguez still employs the traditional Spanish Heel construction technique that increases the solidity of the neck joint, resulting in enhanced resonance and tone. No detail is too minor to merit attention. The tuning machines are intricately cast, whether nickel-plated or gold-plated. Silver-plated frets from Germany are meticulously set, leveled and polished ensuring optimum feel and performance.
The neck and headstock of Rodriguez guitars are typically made of Canadian cedar, often reinforced with two ebony strips on the underside of the fingerboard to increase rigidity and eliminate movement caused by wood aging. Each Rodriguez guitar is hand-formed and glued to create precise balances. From the delicate sanding —even inside the body, to the beautifully unique rosette inlays, each guitar stands as a credit to its luthier and is worthy of being handed down from one generation to the next. Each instrument receives a thin varnish finish ensuring purity of tone. The cutaway electric models feature a state-of-the-art L.R. Baggs or Fishman pre-amp system for excellence in response, balance, and tonal adjustability
The iconic Spanish flamenco guitarist Raimundo Amador was so fascinated with our guitars on his last visit to the factory that he couldn’t miss the opportunity to play with them in Frankfurt. Amador is going to join us in Musikmesse, where he will perform with his favorite instruments and our latest developments in the MR stand from Thursday, April 7th to Sunday, April 10th.
Raimundo Amador made a stop on his way to Madrid to visit our factory in Esquivias. The renowned guitarist had a reason for visiting us: to try the new MR bass, which he did, showing his great versatility with strings. Although accustomed to playing a four-string bass and this is a five-string, he proved that this was no obstacle for him. He didn’t only throw himself into trying the bass, he also played different flamenco and cutaway guitars; he wanted to hear all of them, commenting: “I don’t know which one to choose, I want all of them”.
Raimundo Amador’s career demonstrates his passion for merging the more classic sounds, his flamenco roots, with blues, jazz and rock. He has had the opportunity to share a stage with Camaron de la Isla and Paco de Lucía, among others. His innovative outlook has made him an unstoppable artist, leading him to collaborate with prominent artists such as B. B King, Björk, Remedios Amaya and Kiko Veneno.
He visited us with his family; at his side was his granddaughter Toni, who was a contestant in the latest series of Voz Kids and proved that she has inherited all her grandfather’s skills as part of the Rosario Flores team. As soon as the visit had started, Raimundo Amador was surprised by the diversity of woods kept at our factory, such as the Indian rosewood or red cedar, but above all by their age and origins. “Although we do new things, we have to look after our roots”, added Raimundo Amador while testing the sound of the various woods.
At the end of the visit, the guitarist confessed that it was the first time that he had witnessed the manufacture of a guitar from beginning to end. Amazed at the delicacy and the time it takes to make a guitar by hand, he repeated several times: “Keeping up to date is necessary, but so is preserving the structure”.
Last Saturday, October 24th, the Madrid Gospel Choir held a concert in Madrid to raise funds for the MUM (Mujeres de la Unidad de Mama/Women of the Breast Unit) association. The show, which took place in the Nuevo Apolo Theatre at 12.30 in the morning, was accompanied by the auction of a Manuel Rodriguez guitar valued at 2,000 euros.
In acknowledgement of the importance of music in human development and their strong commitment to Spanish culture, Manuel Rodriguez chose to contribute one of their guitars to the cause. This company’s strong links with social causes leads them to support activities that promote the sustainable growth of society.
The same is true for the Madrid Gospel Choir, whose ultimate purpose is to use their music to help people.
There were special guests at the concert: American singers Damien Sneed and Charrisse Nelson-Mcintosh, Nigerian Amos Obasohan, Weteozcrew and the Kids Connection gospel choir.
The MUM association has grown from the initiative of a group of former patients of Dr. Laura Garcia-Estevez, an oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer. This organisation supports women who are going through the illness by giving psychological support, helping with transport to medical appointments and helping (depending on needs) with purchasing prostheses, wigs, special clothing, etc. Estevez has created the world’s first app to help women in this situation: appcontigo.org
Led by the Madrid Gospel Choir with the participation of special guest artists: Damien Sneed (NYC), Charrisse Nelson-Mcintosh (Washington D.C.), Amos Obasohan (Nigeria), Weteozcrew (Break Dance) and the Kids Connection Gospel Choir.
Dear All, Rodriguez Friends and Customers,
At this year’s Winter NAMM we were delighted to be honored with the NAMM MILESTONE AWARD FOR 110 YEARS of Service in the Music Products Industry. The Award recognizes retailers and manufacturers who have succeeded over the years through best practices and strong community standing to reach a landmark anniversary. Our Third Generation CEO Manuel Rodriguez III, commented: When my grandfather started as a Luthier in 1905, he started the business from scratch, but the basics remain the same, to provide great customer service, offer saleable, well designed, profitable Guitars, be prudent, keep your promises, and be reliable, honest and trustworthy… we’ve enjoyed making Guitars which make people happy for 110 years, and continuing to do so is our Legacy.
110 Years is quite a milestone and one we would not have reached without the strength and determination of our Family, the support and cooperation of our vendors, staff and customers, along of course with the wonderful relationships we continue to enjoy with our many friends in the industry. Thanks to NAMM for recognising the moment. God Bless.
Westlake Village, CA – February 2015… Manuel Rodríguez Guitars, makers of fine classical instruments, is proud to announce the introduction of the acoustic-electric Flamenco Moderna Series. The culmination of over 100 years of traditional Spanish guitar design and construction, these versatile flamenco guitars combine a sleek, low-profile neck and thinner body with premium Fishman® electronics. These refined features make Flamenco Moderna guitars an ideal choice for steel string and electric players seeking to expand their tonal range with the warmth and softness of nylon strings.
With two models distinguished by the careful selection of their unique wood combinations, Flamenco Moderna guitars feature a thin profile and single cutaway to provide easy access to all 19 silver-plated frets on a fingerboard of Indian rosewood. The onboard Fishman Clásica III electronics package is optimized for nylon string tonality and features an easy-to-read chromatic tuner.
The FLMOD500 features walnut back and sides with solid Canadian red cedar top, producing a warm, round tone. For players who prefer more snap and brightness, FLMOD550 combines solid select spruce top with back and sides of flame maple. Both guitars feature a gloss finish and antique gold-plated machine heads on a Rosewood overlay headstock. The guitars are strung with premium D’Addario® ProArte EJ45 strings.
“Flamenco Moderna guitars carry a rich heritage of classic nylon string tone and playability, but with a thoroughly modern feel,” says Rick Gagliano, Product Merchandising Manager for Manuel Rodríguez Guitars. “These beautiful, unique instruments represent an exceptional value for guitarists looking to expand their tonal repertoire.”
For more information on the Flamanco Moderna Series FLMOD500 and FLMOD550, visit the all-new Manuel Rodríguez Guitars website at www.rodriguezguitarsus.com. The Flamenco Moderna Series models carry a street price of $499.99, and are available at all Guitar Center stores, through Musician’s Friend, and online at guitarcenter.com.
About Manuel Rodríguez Guitars
For more than 100 years, the Rodríguez family have been hand-crafting superior instruments. Manuel Rodríguez Guitars benefits from three generations of master luthiers, focused on every possible detail of these exceptional nylon stringed guitars. Today Manuel Rodríguez classical guitars span the entire range from mid-level performance guitars to completely professional instruments that offer unsurpassed value. You can learn more about the complete line of Rodríguezguitars at www.rodriguezguitarsus.com.
For more information contact: Manuel Rodriguez Guitars, P.O. Box 5111, Thousand Oaks, CA 91359.