Antonio Raya Pardo 40th Anniversary Model Spruce Indian Rosewood 650mm scale

Born in 1950, Antonio Raya Pardo ranks amongst the most important luthiers in Granada, which itself has a prime position in the history and development of the Spanish guitar.  At the end of the 2000s he created his Anniversario 35 model to landmark his 35 years of guitar building.  Using only the finest woods and more detailed design elements, the Anniversario models, 35, 40 and 45 added to his output of a 'normal' classical guitar and his historical Torres model.  He was influenced by Antonio Marin Montero.  His son Antonio Raya Ferrer now runs the business after the death of his father.

The guitar, number 115 and built in 2019 has a fine grained German Spruce top with book matched Indian Rosewood back and sides.  The back is set off with a distinctive inlay of Birds Eye Maple and the quality of the workmanship is exceptional as would be expected from a luthier at the peak of his profession.  Inspired by Marin Montero and Bouchet, the bracing system comprises six fan braces and a tone bar crossing directly under the bridge.  This has the effect of giving a ling sustain and crystal clear trebles.  A strong bass response supports and balances the trebles very well so the result is a sweet but powerful sound, with a typical Spanish character.  The rosette and purfling are very much understated and lend a real touch of retrained elegance to the guitar.  In fact to quote from Antonio's own writing 'You don't have to do extraordinary things to be successful.  You have to do simple things extraordinarily well.'  And this guitar in excellent condition, can provide evidence of exactly this philosophy. 

Price £4,000