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José Romanillos was one of the greatest builders of the Spanish guitar and for me, a direct continuation of the work of preceding legends. Starting with Torres, Santos, Hauser and then Romanillos. He is very much a builder after my own heart for his beautiful aesthetics, the sonic results of his work and his beliefs regarding what is important in guitars.

I met him only once, in 1995, a few years after the instrument here was constructed (which was also the year I also began my apprenticeship with Alan Carruth). When I met him I was 21, so just a kid to him but he was very kind and generous with his knowledge. I was totally inspired. Later I watched him give a lecture and demonstrate tuning tops with other luthier's work in progress...kind of like a masterclass. It was fascinating and a great window into his mind and methodologies.

As a builder I can relate to how you work being very much reflective of your own evolution and where you are at that time. Meaning some of his decisions and ideas could have very well been simply where he was at that time but even so...the larger message appeared to me to be very clear from the start to the end of his career. And that was deep familiarity with the materials (far deeper than simply knowing the species), clear vision as to the desired outcome and great sensitivity to the process to gauge along the way. He had all of that and appears to have come upon it naturally. Either you got it or you don't.

This particular instrument shows that almost 30 years into his career as a builder...he was at the top of his game. Design wise, it is very interesting to me to see some components (back and shoulder braces) very different in his treatment than earlier examples... but at the same time, appearing to be following along a consistent line of thinking. Sonically this is pure Romanillos, a guitar that has the attributes of Hauser, Santos, Torres and that fourth element that is 100% him. However this is a remarkable example even by his usual standards. This guitar will fill halls, it has the presence, projection, complexity and clarity to carry for days and do so with style. The evenness and ease of response is equally impressive.

And then there is the guitar's physical beauty. His workmanship and execution on this guitar is perfect and still perfectly human. Bravo Maestro Romanillos!