2002 Rafael Moreno Rodríguez "Sueño" CD/CSAR

This 2002 Rafael Moreno Rodríguez "Sueño" is a cedar and CSA rosewood concert classical guitar from Granada, Spain, in excellent condition, from the model chosen by Pepe and Celin Romero and Vicente Coves.

Rafa's "Dream" Guitar

"Sueño" means "Dream," and it is the name of Rafa's flagship model. A 19th-century guitar by Joaquín Ruiz, which he restored many years ago, gave him the inspiration: he admired its craftsmanship and style so much that he worked some of its ornamental details into the "Sueño" as a tribute.

These guitars principally are made only for collectors and concert players. Pepe and Celin Romero have owned them, as well as some younger professionals like Vicente Coves of Granada, Spain.

Workmanship

The back is framed by a thick, multi-band purfling that comes together at the heel and foot and splits into a pattern of interlacing lines inside a wide maple strip down the middle – a level of craftsmanship that has rarely been matched in the last 100 years of guitar construction. A 19th-century period-style bridge and the pomegranate-shaped headstock (Granada's emblem – "granada" is Spanish for "pomegranate") finish it off. The materials are first rate, and this represents Rafa at his most creative.

Sound and Condition

It has the characteristic sound of Moreno Rodríguez' guitars – big volume without being boomy and a thick, dark sound across all registers. Although used, it is in excellent condition, having had some recent repairs to some cracking on the sides, now invisible thanks to the excellent work of GV Rubio. Otherwise the guitar shows only modest signs of wear from previous use. This is an exceptional concert guitar and we recommend it highly, for its concert-worthy sound and for its refined, unique workmanship.

Read more: Orfeo Magazine No. 8 – The Granada School

Rafael Moreno Rodríguez: Classical and Flamenco Guitar Maker of Granada

Rafael Moreno Rodríguez (b. 1954) – "Rafa" to everyone in Granada – began making guitars at the early age of 12 under the watchful eyes of Manuel López Bellido and Antonio Marín Montero, and in those early years he also studied with Eduardo Ferrer, often called the "teacher of teachers" of the Granada school. Although unrelated to Miguel Rodríguez of Córdoba, he counts Rodríguez's guitars among his strongest influences, along with those of Santos Hernández and Benito Ferrer. After his apprenticeship he opened his own shop on the famous Cuesta de Gomérez below the Alhambra, where he stayed until 2000; since then he has worked at Jesús y María 10.

One Level of Guitar, Built Entirely by Hand

Rafa works alone and refuses to hurry. He builds every guitar from scratch – down to the bone nut and saddle, carved by hand – mostly from CSA rosewood, spruce and cedar that he bought, cut and cured himself, and he makes only one level of instrument. His classical and flamenco guitars have been played by Pepe and Celin Romero, Vicente Coves, Gerardo Núñez, Juan and Pepe Habichuela and the late flamenco singer Enrique Morente, among many others.