Salvador Ibáñez, One of The Most Noteworthy of Spanish Classical Guitar Makers

Salvador Ibáñez (1854-1920) was a luthier who designated as one of the most noteworthy of Spanish classical guitar makers. He made guitars, ukuleles, mandolins and other stringed instruments. These instruments were considered the finest of their age and are prized for their excellent quality and impeccable workmanship.

Salvador Ibáñez Guitar

Salvador Ibáñez became an apprentice in guitar construction at Calle Muela Valencia when he was 11 years old. In 1870 he started his own company Salvador Ibáñez y Albiñara at Calle Cubells. Working in his shop were the ten-year-old José Ibáñez and Magdalena Albiñara y Magraner, from Ollería, Valencia.

In 1896 Salvador Ibáñez first appeared in the trade guides at Calle Ruzafa Valencia and from 1898 to 1906 his shop was located at Calle Baja de San Francisco. Salvador Ibáñez made bandurrias, lutes, six-string guitars, nine-string guitars, and also guitars with detachable necks.

In 1897 Salvador Ibáñez made the world's first double-necked guitar. In the period 1915-1920 Salvador Ibáñez e Hijos (Salvador Ibáñez and Sons) were located at Calle Baja de San Francisco and at Calle Padre Rico Valencia. When he died in 1920 his workshop continued to be managed by his two sons until it was completely destroyed during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

John Lennon's Salvador Ibáñez guitar

After the Salvador Ibáñez workshop had been destroyed and with the Salvador Ibáñez guitars being no more available but highly sought-after by the collectors and guitar players due to their excellent quality, the Japanese distributor Hoshino Gakki decided to start making Ibáñez guitars of their own after years of importing Salvador Ibáñez guitars to Japan.

Hoshino Gakki purchased the trademark and started production with brand name "Ibanez Salvador" and later Ibanez which obtained great success in the 1970s-1980s. Hoshino Gakki currently produces both acoustic and electric guitars using the Ibanez brandname but is mostly oriented to producing electric guitars.

An Introduction to Flamenco Guitar

The traditional flamenco guitar is made of Spanish cypress or sycamore for the back and sides and spruce for the top, which accounts for its characteristic body color, and is lighter in weight than a classical guitar, to give the sound a “brighter” and more percussive quality. This is achieved by reducing the amount of internal bracing and thickness of the materials used in the body and top construction. The top is typically made of either spruce or cedar, though other tone woods are used today. Volume has traditionally been very important for flamenco guitarists, as they need to be heard over the sound of the dancers’ nailed shoes: to increase the volume of the instrument, harder woods, such as rosewood, can be used for the back and sides, with softer woods for the top.

In contrast to the classical guitar, the flamenco is often equipped with a tap plate (a golpeador), commonly made of transparent plastic, similar to a pick guard, whose function is to protect the body of the guitar from the rhythmic finger taps, or golpes. Even so, a well used Flamenco guitar will only survive so long before the constant "golpes" wear through the top. Frequent replacement and patching of the "golpeador" help.

Originally, all guitars were made with wooden tuning pegs, that pass straight through the head stock, similar to those found on an oud oud or a violin or lute, as opposed to the modern classical-style guitars' cogged tuning mechanisms. Indeed, traditional pegs are still very popular amongst flamenco guitarist and guitar makers.

The action, or the height of the strings above the fingerboard, is generally lower than that of a classical guitar, typically less than 3mm at the twelfth fret. This lower string height can increase the playing speed, and greatly reduces fatigue of the left hand during lengthy performances.

"Flamenco negra" guitars are called "negra" after the darker of the harder woods used in their construction, similar materials to those of high-end classical guitars, such as rosewood or other dense tone woods. The harder materials increase volume and tonal range. A typical cypress flamenco guitar will sound more treble and percussive than the more sonorous negra. These guitars hope to capture some of the sustain achieved by concert caliber classical guitars, whilst retaining the volume and attack associated with flamenco.

Flamenco guitarist

Flamenco is played somewhat differently from the classical guitar, utilizing different posture, strumming patterns, and techniques. Flamenco guitarists are known as tocaores (from an Andalusian pronunciation of tocadores, "players") and flamenco guitar technique is known as toque.

While the classical guitarist supports his guitar on his left leg, and holds it at an incline, the flamenco guitarist will usually cross his legs and support the guitar on whichever leg is on top, placing the neck of the guitar more or less parallel to the floor. The different position is a result of the different techniques. Many of the tremolo, golpe and rasgueado techniques are easier and more relaxed if your upper right arm is supported at the elbow by the body of the guitar rather by the forearm as in classical guitar. Classical position is still used by some Flamenco guitarists.

Flamenco is commonly played using a cejilla (capo) which causes the guitar to sound somewhat more sharp and percussive. However, the main purpose in using a cejilla is to change the key of the guitar to match the singer’s vocal range. Because Flamenco is an improvisational musical form, utilizing common structures and chord change sequences, the capo makes it easier for players who have never played together before to do so. Rather than transcribing what you know on the fly to another key each time the singer changes, you just move capo and use the same chords you used open. Flamenco uses a lot of highly modified and open chord forms to create a solid drone effect and leave at least one finger free to add melodic notes and movement. Very little traditional Flamenco music is actually written, it is still mostly passed on hand to hand, though authentic didactic books are becoming more available. [source : Flamenco Guitar]

A Brief History of Alvarez Guitars

By  William McRea

Alvarez is a premier acoustic guitar manufacturer that specializes in high quality instruments. Alvarez started building high quality acoustic guitars in 1965. As evidenced by the sound of their instruments, they are very passionate about what they do. They have a reputation for crafting guitars that have exceptional tone and quality, and they do so by hand. Their shop is located in St. Louis, MO.

The Alvarez guitar line as we know it today started with a Japanese luthier named Kazuo Yairi who worked in partnership with an American company to design these guitars. Yairis family is known for creating high quality, hand made instruments. The companys current, skilled luthiers continue this tradition.

Alvarez Yairi

Alvarez does not use computers and other high tech devices to help build their guitars. Computer assisted guitars have a very uniform sound across the board. The Alvarez guitars are unique from instrument to instrument. Building them by hand gives each guitar their own character. That is why it is important to find luthiers and other workers who are both skilled and passionate.

They pride themselves on their wood seasoning process. Done correctly, this can be considered the key to the sound. Wood types such as mahogany and rosewood are both air dried and kiln dried for long periods of time- sometimes as much as fifteen years. This aging process helps develop the tone and gives it a rich quality. The guitars are then shaped into their various styles.

Alvarez has a complete line of high quality guitars. Their acoustic guitar styles include the Dreadnought series, crafted in a shape and style similar to other Dreadnoughts, Alvarez classic guitars of various styles and woods, and Alvarez folk style guitars, including some cutaway models. For a complete list of styles, visit their website.

There are also plenty of famous and accomplished musicians who play Alvarez guitars. These include Ani DiFranco, Bret Michaels, Carlos Santana, Graham Nash, Kipp Winger, Laura Clapp, and David Crosby. For an extensive list, please visit their website.

Here are some reviews of Alvarez Acoustic Guitars (source Harmony Central):

About the Alvarez 5054 12 String

Alvarez 5054 12 String

Got started more than half a century ago. I m what we now like to call a multi-instrumentalist. Play in half a dozen bands, jazz, blues, metal, punk, Cajun and Irish. 

This is a great guitar. The first time you pick it up you immediately recognize that it "has something". And it ain t just me, I ve had some friends (including some well-known players) try it out and give it a thumbs-up. 

I m not saying I would trade my Guild for it, but I ve not come across a comparable second choice. And considering that nowadays this is a sub $400 guitar it s an outright bargain.

About the Alvarez AC 60SC

Alvarez AC60SC

I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and have owned all types of guitars and gear. I was without a nylon stringed guitar for a while and developed a nylon jones. I began looking for a classical guitar, with a cutaway and built in electronics. I checked out guitars at 2 stores and chose this one for it s acoustic sound. I did not even plug it in at the store. I liked the characteristics in her voice. I came back the next day and traded my steel-string acoustic in on her.

As I said before, this guitar is like a wonderful woman. One that should be treated well and caressed. Playing her should be like making love.

If guitar playing can be that much fun everyone should take it up.

About the Author:

Guitar Warehouse is your place to Buy Guitar and other musical gear. We also offer a wide range of Alvarez Guitars Free Guitar Lessons.

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