MANUEL RODRIGUEZ Sr. 1926-2008

Legendary classical guitar luthier, Manuel Rodriguez Sr., passed away on Christmas Day, aged 82.

Strong family connections with classical and flamenco guitar ensured that Manuel Sr's life was always destined to be involved with the instrument. The son of classical guitar luthier Manuel Rodriguez Perez and grandson of flamenco guitarist Manuel Rodriguez Marequi, Manuel Snr began his luthier apprenticeship in Madrid, aged 13.

After setting up and operating a successful luthiery shop in Spain, Manuel emigrated to Los Angeles where he lived for 15 years, once again with a successful luthiery business catering for players and enthusiasts alike, with customers ranging from professional players to Hollywood actors.

Manuel eventually relocated to his native Madrid to continue with the Rodrigez guitar stable which continues to produce fine classical instruments in ever-increasing production numbers.

Manuel Sr. is survived by his two sons, Manuel Jr. and Norman, who are both actively involved with the family company.

JHS offers condolences to the Rodriguez family at this sad time, and is pleased to present the following obituary for Manuel Sr. written by his son, Manuel Jr.

Manuel Rodríguez II (1926-2008), Luthier of fine handcrafted guitars.

' Manuel Rodríguez II, one of the finest luthiers of the Madrid school, died on December 25th in this city, where he was born in 1926. In the very early years, he started working with his father, himself a constructor of flamenco and classical guitars. They had their own workshop in their home, while also working in the renowned Ramírez workshop. Thus he observed and absorbed the way of making guitars with legendary masters such as Jose Ramírez III himself, along with Santos Hernández, Modesto Borreguero and Marcelo Barbero. They taught him the love of fine woodworking, the use of simple tools and materials and the struggle for quality in often difficult economic and political times, with only a limited availability of proper woods and other necessary materials.

Flamenco singers and players would often get together at that time in the guitar workshops, playing, dancing and singing until the sun started to rise on the following day! Rodríguez himself, fond of this bohemian ambiance, was always concerned about the need for a stable base from which he could produce handcrafted instruments, continued improvement and evolution. During his lifetime, he especially strived for a strong, balanced sound, never neglecting the need for instruments that are also strikingly beautiful in their appearance. A wood selection from around the world, a kiln for curing these fine woods, dyes, varnish, mosaics, unique bracing designs, rosette designs (often inspired by needlework designs realized by his wife Emilia), along with a distinctive headstock design unique to the Rodriguez family.

Driven by the desire to expand and develop his luthiery skills, he decided to emigrate to the USA under the patronage of the musician Theodore Norman; thus in 1959 he established himself with his newly-wed wife Emilia in Los Angeles, where his two boys, Manuel Jr. and Norman were born. He spent 14 years in the US, building many instruments for the lively musical world of Los Angeles and Hollywood. He also conducted research together with engineers at UCLA to improve design (bracings, frets, tieblocks, etc.). An important result was the mobile bridge for correcting the temperament tuning challenges all guitars must deal with. He also learned English, which would prove very helpful in his later life.

After returning to Spain, he soon realized that the business needed to be set on a sounder, more diverse footing, and he developed a dual approach constructing both fully handmade concert guitars in the workshop – where his sons received their training as luthiers – and using machines and a specialised workforce producing student guitars in greater numbers to his specific designs along with continued and careful quality control.

A true family concern, the Rodriguez stable is still today located near Madrid in the Toledo province, where Manuel Sr. continued to work until just a few weeks before his death. Today, guitars manufactured by Rodríguez & Sons can be found in almost every European country, as well as in the USA, Japan and many other countries. His much-valued Rodriguez label guarantees fine design and the quality of an old master.

In recent years, Manuel became increasingly concerned by the destruction of the environment, the scarcity of fine woods and, last but not least, the competition from aggressive foreign manufacturers with little or no 'real' classical tradition, a challenge he faced without ever losing his optimistic outlook. In his book The Art and Craft of Making Guitars (English edition 2003, with editions in German (1999) and Spanish (2001)), he expressed his love for the instrument and for the formidable tradition of generations after generations of builders. He defined himself as '...simply a luthier and guitarmaker, neither a good nor a bad one', stressing his pride of belonging to this fine group of creators, underscoring the humility and goodwill of this master builder.

Indeed, his guitars have been used and praised by no less than Andres Segovia, Regino Sáinz de la Maza, Angel Romero and Theodore Norman and many others. Noted composer, Joaquín Rodrigo recognised in 1989, “his great achievements for the Spanish guitar”. Manuel Rodríguez has enjoyed the recognition and admiration he deserved and has won many prizes and awards. Today, his instruments are also precious gifts presented by the Federation of Entrepreneurs and the Chamber of Commerce to Presidents and Chiefs of State who visit Spain. A great dream of Manuel’s was to meet President Jimmy Carter, which he did during the summer of 2007 when he, Mrs. Carter and an entourage including members of his family came and toured the factory, spending a glorious evening in Toledo, marking the occasion of a dual signing of guitar labels with Manuel and President Carter, for guitars destined for the Carter Center Winter Auction. These instruments, generously donated by Manuel and his family, will provide many thousands of dollars in auction funds to benefit humanitarian efforts around the world for years to come.

On December, 25 2008, Manuel finally surrendered to the serious illness that had affected him for the last two years, faced with courage while carrying on his activities with his usual energy. He worked until the very end in the workshop and remained involved in the day-to-day activities of the family company. He attended fairs and congresses (he practically never missed NAMM events in Anaheim and Frankfurt) and remained active, a flagbearer in words and deeds of the Madrid School of guitar. He also engaged strongly in charitable activities, that he endowed with generosity. He leaves behind many beautiful instruments, their pure sound making our lives more enjoyable. He also leaves a busy guitar-making workshop in the hands of his widow and sons.

He leaves us with the memory of a man who lived a full life, a life that he shared happily with family, friends and colleagues. His warm smile and easy laugh will always be with us as we remember this gentle soul with his boundless energy, great talent and inspiration.'

Below: Manuel Rodriguez Sr. in his workshop.