Classical Guitar Aficionados- What is this?

[vindibona1]

A friend gave me this classical guitar and he wasn't sure what it was. He bought it some years ago and can't even remember the details and doesn't really play much. So we're trying to figure out what it is and there isn't much information on the internet beyond the manufacturer who is in Spain.

I was wondering if any experts out there had any knowledge of the maker of this instrument and the model itself? TIA

[Steve DeRosa]

Ask the mods to move this to the Classical Forum - those guys have more expertise in this area...

[JohnW63]

http://www.manuelcontreras.com/index

https://www.usedprice.com/items/guit...uel-contreras/

All the models that are listed as a "Letter-Number" go for pretty good amounts. I haven't found Model 39 , yet. But, I have seen some side bar listings well under $1000. it could be the difference between the Pro models and Student models.

The other thing to be aware of is there are Manuel Contreras guitars and Manuel Contreras II guitars. Father vs. Son, perhaps ?

Here is a Contrereas II at Dream Guitars.
https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/in...dia-nylon.html

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by JohnW63

http://www.manuelcontreras.com/index

https://www.usedprice.com/items/guit...uel-contreras/

All the models that are listed as a "Letter-Number" go for pretty good amounts. I haven't found Model 39 , yet. But, I have seen some side bar listings well under $1000. it could be the difference between the Pro models and Student models.

The other thing to be aware of is there are Manuel Contreras guitars and Manuel Contreras II guitars. Father vs. Son, perhaps ?

Here is a Contrereas II at Dream Guitars.
https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/in...dia-nylon.html

I found the website for Manuel Contreras II and attempted to contact them via their website's email and all I got all day were error messages.

As far as a "student model", perhaps it is, but if it is, it's pretty well finished. I look at the quality of the wood on the back and sides and am pretty impressed. My 814ceDLX doesn't have graining that nice? Not laminate. Back and sides inside match the pattern of the outside identically.

Thanks for the help so far.

[DenverSteve]

Great looking guitar. Now how about making the photos human sized.

[dneal]

Ask these folks.

https://www.guitarsalon.com

Here's a blog post on Contreras

https://www.guitarsalon.com/blog/?p=4140

[sirwhale]

In Spain, when they put the model number, in this case, it means the 39th built that year.

[PeteD]

I'm not an expert, but I know a little bit. I have a Contreras Sr., 2a model from the mid-70's that I picked up from a forum member here a little while back.

Contreras was a pretty good name for Spanish guitar construction. Manuel Contreras Sr. studied with one of the top luthiers in Spain before opening his own shop in Madrid. His son continued the business on after his father passed. Yours was made likely after Sr. passed on and his son took over the business.

The nomenclature on the Contreras Sr. guitars I think goes something like:

-Signed by Manuel Contreras is a 1a
-Not singed, but listed as either 'Constructor de Guitarras' or 'Luthier' is a 2a, built in the Contreras workshop
-Not signed and listed as 'Guitareria' or 'Guitarra de Estudio' was likely built in another shop by a more junior luthier as a sort of subcontracted piece.

I don't know how the nomenclature worked for Contreras' son, but I suspect that yours may have been made not in the main shop, but as a sub-contracted piece.

Pricing on Contreras guitars seems to be all over the map. You will see some pretty high prices listed on Reverb and Ebay....but they don't seem to move at those prices much. I'd guess this is between an $800-1,000 guitar. But I could be wrong...just my best educated guess.

But the earlier suggestion to check with Guitar Salon, Dream Guitars is probably good advice to hone this down a bit more.

[mr. beaumont]

I think you got a dang nice gift!

[dosland]

I'd agree that the fact it says "Guitarra de Estudio" makes this a second tier instrument, i.e., below concert grade. But looking at the wood used and the condition, I'd say you've got a great guitar on your hands! How confident are you that the back and sides aren't laminate? They can do a pretty nice job matching up the pieces sometimes, as I've found out... That IS some fantastic looking back and side grain! If it plays well (put some new strings on it, some D'Addarios as a sort of neutral option), I don't see how you'd find a better instrument for less than a grand, maybe a lot more than that. Modelo 39 is an oddity, sirwhale's explanation seems more reasonable than that this is Model 39 - I've only ever seen models 1-5, if my memory is being honest with me.

[Dave T]

It's a gift from a friend. If you like it and it plays well, quit worrying about what it is or what it's worth and just enjoy it.

My $.02 worth,
Dave

[zhunter]

For this builder, Guitarra de Estudio normally means a student model subcontracted out to be built in another shop. Not all student models are equal. Can't give any specifics on this one. No way to be sure unless they can tell you, but contract guitars built in Spain are often built in Valencia.

It looks nice. Enjoy.

hunter

[redir]

It looks like a great guitar. I have a Manual Contreras from the 1960's which is also a student model and great guitar. I imagine that this is the grandson?

[zavaletas]

When Manuel Contreras died in 1994, his son Manuel II took over the shop. This model was a guitar made for their shop by one of the factories in Valencia (probably Amalio Burget). It would have sold in 1998 for about $400.