Luthier Jose Romanillos has passed away at 89.

[Carey]

I'm very sorry to hear this. He positively influenced so many makers and players, and made Julian Bream's beautiful-sounding 1973 guitar that he played on for so long, and recorded on so much; he also wrote a wonderful
book about maker Antonio de Torres that catalogs many of his guitars,
and a reference book on Spanish makers of vihuelas and guitars.

Rest in Peace.

[nikpearson]

I’d missed this news so thank you for sharing.

Romanillos made some amazing instruments, played by equally wonderful musicians, most notably Julian Bream. These guitars were perhaps the zenith of traditional fan-braced classical guitars, with similarities to their Torres-built ancestors along with a unique style and sound all their own.

As a student builder, feedback from skilled musicians is essential. Imagine getting this from a player of Julian Bream’s calibre; for some time Romanillos had a workshop on Julian Bream’s estate.

These two masters of their craft have passed, but their legacies will continue to inspire musicians and makers alike.

[Carey]

You're welcome. There's a very nice profile of Romanillos online in this issue of Orfeo, from 2015: https://issuu.com/orfeomagazine/docs/orfeo_5_an

[nikpearson]

That’s a great link. Have read the first few sections and will revisit whenever I have time free until I’m done.

Thank you.

[Carey]

The book that Jose Romanillos wrote about Antonio de Torres is back in print in an expanded fourth edition:https://romanillosguitarbooks.com/sh...311/category=0

It's kind of pricey, but used copies of the earlier editions have been going for much more. A beautiful book, with a good biography of Torres, discussion of his work methods, and a catalog of many of the Torres guitars that are still around.


Luthier Josep Melo has written a book about the instruments Romanillos made after moving back to Spain in the 90s:https://editions.meloguitars.com/pro...ndard-edition/

It looks great, but out of my price range any time soon..

[zcregle1]

Originally Posted by Carey

The book that Jose Romanillos wrote about Antonio de Torres is back in print in an expanded fourth edition:https://romanillosguitarbooks.com/sh...311/category=0

It's kind of pricey, but used copies of the earlier editions have been going for much more. A beautiful book, with a good biography of Torres, discussion of his work methods, and a catalog of many of the Torres guitars that are still around.


Luthier Josep Melo has written a book about the instruments Romanillos made after moving back to Spain in the 90s:https://editions.meloguitars.com/pro...ndard-edition/

It looks great, but out of my price range any time soon..

Highly recommend picking up Romanillos’ book on Antonio de Torres. Incredible read with so much information. I have a first edition that is highly cherished and I reread every year.

[GuitarsWeB]

Highly recommend picking up Romanillos’ book on Antonio de Torres. Incredible read with so much information. I have a first edition that is highly cherished and I reread every year.

I bought the book when it first came out, in the early 1980's. It's a excellent read. the only issue I have is, his chapter on scale length. Romanillos makes it sound as if Torres discovered the 650mm measurement in the "Arc of the Covenant," as if it was some magical formula. This was definitely not the case. 650mm was around long before Torres. The violin is 325mm., half the distance, therefore one could use the same strings on a guitar, tuned down an octave. After the book was published, everyone wanted a guitar with a 650mm scale. You'll notice, about that time , 75% of the makers went to that scale...Japan included. There are a few makers that didn't buy into the 650mm hype...Conde, Oribe, etc. Ramirez finally gave in at the request of GSI...I believe. Guitarist started thinking...Oh! This is why I'm have trouble with my playing, I need a short scale. They sold their 656mm and 660mm and all bought 650mm. To this day, there are some great deals on guitars with longer scales... than a 650mm. I still believe the older Ruck's with the 664mm are nicer sounding than his 650's.The Flamenco players are not as anal about this as the classical guys.

[MCDEMO1]

Thank you for the link to the Orfeo article.

I was lucky enough to see a presentation on guitar soundboards given by Jose Romanillos at a luthiers' symposium/convention hosted by G.A.L. or A.S.I.A. sometime between 1994 and 2003. The exact location escapes me - either Amherst, MA, Nashville, or Tacoma.

Being primarily interested in steel string guitars at the time much of what he had to say did not sink in, but I do remember his insistence on using only spruce and his overall manner of speaking about guitars. The love he had for the instrument was very evident.

I also remember that attendees were disappointed that his books on Torres and on building the Spanish guitar were not available for purchase there. Maybe between editions ?
Good to see that the Torres book is still available today.

[Carey]

You are welcome. There is more on Romanillos and his research on Torres in Orfeo issue nine: https://issuu.com/orfeomagazine/docs/orfeo_9_en

He gave one inspiring lecture / demonstration at the GAL Tacoma convention in 1995; maybe that was the one you attended, as well? I also got the sense of
a man with a deep commitment to his work, which made quite an impression.

I recently got a copy used of an earlier edition of his Torres book, not knowing
that there would be another revised edition- the latest one has an additional
100 pages, so I'll be getting it when I have a chance.

[MCDEMO1]

The convention I attended must have been the one in '95 at PLU in Tacoma. Some very good presentations were made in addition to the one by Romanillos.
I'm going to order the new revision of his Torres book. At the price I'm glad I waited to get the latest edition !

[Carey]

I received the fourth edition of the Romanillos/Harris Torres book today.

It arrived very quickly from Spain, about a week after placing the order.
It's in a larger format than the earlier editions (now 8 1/2" by 11" or so)
with correspondingly larger type (nice!) and photographs. The photos seem a little clearer than in the earlier editions, and there are 88 guitars catalogued
as compared to 65 in the first edition. A very nice piece of work.

[Carey]

Here is a nice two-part video of Romanillos working and talking in 1980:

https://cinemaphile.com/watch?v=mFCG...=emb_rel_pause

https://cinemaphile.com/watch?v=U8iZ...re=emb_rel_end

[MCDEMO1]

Thanks for those Guitar Gourmet links.
More video of Jose Romanillos, most from the same source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQXjQZgIVag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS13dNuQVls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Vsdgg00Gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o9IM919x58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUN2x5iK8LE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RhdjsfYNls