2015 German Vazquez Rubio Estudio Classical Guitar Spruce / Palo Escrito

For sale is a 2015 German Vazquez Rubio Estudio classical guitar, handmade in Los Angeles and featuring a solid spruce soundboard with an absolutely stunning set of Palo Escrito back and sides.

The original interior label is signed by German Vazquez Rubio and dates the guitar to 2015, with guitar number 11715.

This is a particularly beautiful example of Rubio's Estudio model. The spruce top has aged to a warm golden color, while the back and sides display the dramatic figuring for which Palo Escrito is known — sweeping dark lines, contrasting lighter areas and an almost landscape-like grain pattern across the back. It is a spectacular set of wood and looks even better in person.

Palo Escrito, sometimes referred to as Mexican rosewood, has a long association with the guitar-making tradition of Paracho, Mexico. Rubio has used it extensively for his Estudio instruments, and surviving specifications for the model confirm all-solid construction with Palo Escrito back and sides, a spruce soundboard, Spanish cedar neck and ebony fingerboard.

This guitar features:

Solid spruce top
Solid Palo Escrito back and sides
Spanish cedar neck
Ebony fingerboard
Rosewood bridge
Traditional slotted headstock
Ornate wood rosette and purfling
Gold classical tuning machines
Handmade construction in Los Angeles, California

The combination is visually striking, but this is also very much a serious handmade classical instrument rather than simply a decorative guitar. The Estudio was conceived as Rubio's more attainable professional-quality instrument — Guitar Salon International described the model as a genuine Rubio built in his Los Angeles workshop and positioned it as a high-level student/entry concert instrument.

German Vazquez Rubio was born in 1952 in Paracho, Michoacán, Mexico, one of the centers of traditional Mexican guitar making. He began learning the craft at only eleven years old in the workshop of his uncle Manuel Rubio. In 1968, at age sixteen, he constructed his first concert-level guitar, which explains the "Desde 1968" printed on his labels. Over his career he also learned from builders including Félix Manzanero, José Romanillos, David Daly and Thomas Humphrey before establishing his workshop in Los Angeles.

Rubio has now been building for more than half a century, and his guitars range from the Estudio through his Hauser, Solista, Concert and Custom Elite instruments. His reputation eventually led to his involvement with Córdoba and Disney/Pixar in the creation of the real-life guitar associated with Coco.

Condition

The guitar is in Very Good overall condition.

There are normal signs of use, including scratches and light marks on the spruce top along with some finish wear and small areas of wear/chipping around portions of the back and side edges. We've intentionally photographed these areas closely so the condition is represented clearly.

Despite the cosmetic wear, this remains a beautiful instrument, and the spectacular Palo Escrito back and sides present extremely well. The figuring is much more dramatic than what is found on many examples of the model.

The photos are of the actual guitar being sold, including detailed views of the top, back, sides, binding and original signed label.

Case: Hard (One latch broken)

Scale Length: 646mm

Nut Width: 52.2mm

Fret Wear: 9.8/10

Action at 12F (6th): 3.5mm

Action at 12F (1st): 3mm

Weight: 1514grams

Overall Condition: 8.2/10

Cool Factor: 11 out of 10

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Internal Use (Bin) - H4