Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba, Flamenco Guitars, 1959 and 1967--For Sale (I intend on selling only one of the following guitars)
Miguel Rodriguez Beneyto (1888-1975) was born in Cordoba, Spain. Miguel Sr., his twin sons, Rafael (1921-1965) and Miguel Jr. (1921-1998) and his grandson, Jose Rodriguez Alamo (1950-1996) are credited with making 2000 guitars of great quality. Concert artists such as Pepe and Angel Romero (of the Romeros family) used Rodriguez of Cordoba guitars for many years.
The guitars of Rodriguez of Cordoba are prized by many luthiers and have been used as a model by a number of modern makers. I first met Miguel Sr., Miguel Jr. and Jose (known as Pepe) in 1966. I visited them the next year (1967) when I picked up my flamenco guitar. At that time I was fortunate to watch each of the family members working: making rosettes, dyeing veneers, French Polishing, etc. During that visit I spent a lot of time with Miguel's grandson, Pepe, who was close to my age. We kept in contact for a few years but I did not visit him again until the mid 1990's. I have a private video of that visit where Pepe showed me through the back rooms of the workshop (where they had a large stock of 50-year old Brazilian Rosewood and 50-year old Spruce tops), and showed me rare guitars that his grandfather made and even a splendid viola. I had an article published in American Lutherie (Winter 2001) on this family entitled, "Miguel Rodriguez: Some Notes on his Family Tree and Correcting the Historical Record." I wrote that article because there are many rumors about Miguel Rodriguez's connection with the Jose Ramirez Family in Madrid. The article is based on my discussions with the Rodriguez family and research into the guitar literature.
There are a number of other articles on the Miguel Rodriguez Family in books and magazines. Do not believe everything you read about their connection with Rafael Casana, the Madrid maker who worked for Ramirez.
I should also mention here that Miguel Rodriguez Beneyto (of Cordoba) is not related to Manuel Rodriguez Perez, the Madrid maker who lived for 11 years in California and whose family had worked in the Jose Ramirez workshop.
Over the last 4 decades I have collected a few fine instruments. I frankly have too many to play, so I have decided to offer some of them for sale. If you are interested do some research and make me a reasosnble offer. I intend on selling one of these 2 Rodriguez guitars.
Miguel Rodriguez, Cordoba Flamenco, Spain 1959. Spuce, Cypress, French Polish. Some repaired cracks. This instrument is a treasure for a flamenco player. It has the unique Rodriguez sound. It is easy to play. This is the real thing not a copy.
Miguel Rodriguez, Cordoba, Spain 1967, Flamenco. Spruce, Cypress, French Polish. Some repaired cracks. I bought this guitar in 1967 directly from Miguel Rodriguez Sr. in Cordoba when I was 18 years old.
