The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars [Paperback]

Manuel Rodriguez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

Rich in beauty, sound and history, Manuel Rodriguez and Sons' classical and flamenco guitars have been lovingly hand-crafted in Madrid since 1905. The company's remarkable creations are just as acclaimed today, capturing the 2000 Player's Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar magazine for its nylon-string model. New from Hal Leonard and for the first time available in English, The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars presents master luthier Manuel Rodriguez's thoughts on the history of the instrument he loves, and how the guitar attained its prominent position among musical instruments. Filled with fabulous historical photos, priceless memorabilia, abundant diagrams and more, the book covers topics such as the art and development of the guitar, materials used in construction, and much more. Essential for all admirers of the guitar.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Manuel Rodriguez learned the art of constructing a guitar firsthand. He started as an apprentice at the age of 13 in Madrid, where he first began to learn what makes a beautiful and resonant guitar. After apprenticing and operating in his own shop in Spain, Manuel immigrated to Los Angeles in 1959 and opened a business there. Residing in the City of Angels for nearly 15 years, Manuel made guitars for professionals, Hollywood actors, teachers, students, and those just wishing to express themselves creatively through music, before moving back to Madrid in 1973. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634063138
• ISBN-13: 978-0634063138
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,389,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I wanted to like this book, but..., March 28, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars (Paperback)

As a proud owner of a Manuel Rodriguez e Hijos guitar I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book. However, I am very disappointed to report that this book did not meet my expectations. The title says "The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars" but there is very little information on either art or craft in this book.

I had briefly met the author in his shop in Madrid and purchased a guitar from one of his sons, Norman. As thrilled as I am with the quality of the guitar I now play daily, this book is not a match for his guitars.

The book is not logically arranged, poorly edited and wanders from subject to subject and back again. Chapter headings promise to tell the history of the guitar, woods used in fine guitar construction and techniques. In my humble opinion, this book incompletely delivers on these topics.

The history of the guitar starts with observations from Sr. Rodriguez on historical examples and some small line drawings of ancient stringed instruments. Added into the middle of this light discussion is a table of "transmission times" for various types of woods. Interesting in and of itself, but it illustrates just how illogically this book is laid out. The science is mixed into historical discussion in a haphazard manner. What did luthiers accomplish with one design and how did it contribute to the next design? That's not present in this book.

Next, the reader is treated to a paragraph or two on many of the individual luthiers from the "Madrid school" of guitarmaking. Doubtless, Sr. Rodriguez or his father have known all of these famous luthiers and could tell a fascinating story. But he doesn't. What did these luthiers do to contribute to the history or sound of guitars? We very rarely get any real information about what these builders added to guitarmaking other than where their shops were located or who was the chief handyman at the shop.

Sr. Rodriguez also includes a short history of his family, from flamenco artists to industrial and artistic producers of guitars. We are treated to what seems to be the Rodriguez family photo album. It could be fascinating if the editor could have woven a coherent history from these pictures, or given the reader some insight into guitar building improvements or philosophy. Very unsatisfying.

The last two chapters are titled "Exhibitions and Schools" and "The Guitar in Europe" but it is little more than lists of names with a paragraph here and there of Sr. Rodriguez's reminiscences of those he has met.

As involved and important to fine guitarmaking as Sr. Rodriguez is, he didn't communicate that very well in his book. Buy his very fine guitars, they're much more satisfying than this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book about classical guitar, September 5, 2006

By 

Michael Goh "MGS" (Malaysia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book. This is not a book about how to actually make a classical guitar. It more like a historical narrative from Sr Rodriguez where he shares many of his experience and knowledge.

This book did provide me with insights of the history of the classical guitar in Spain and the genealogy of the famous makers. At least I understand how a guitar is made and what are some of the differences that goes into constructing the guitar which we all love and appreciate. I also get to know the thoughts behind the lengths and sizes of the guitar, the fan bracings that are used, the kinds of wood that they use for the construction and who are the better master luthiers in Spain.

This is the book to get if you are looking for some general knowledge about the classical guitar.

Thank you Sr Rodriquez for sharing your thoughts and life long experiences with us.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's a luthier, not a writer, March 31, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars (Paperback)

Although I share many of the same criticisms of the reviewer who gave this book only two stars, I'm giving this book my highest rating. Like that reviewer, I love to play my Manuel Rodriguez guitar and was really looking forward to the English language version of "The Art & Craft."

Where we differ is that I see this book as a supplement to the other Spanish guitar literature that's out there. Rather than a more definitive work such as "A Collection of Fine Spanish Guitars from Torres to the Present" and "The Classical Guitar: A Complete History," this is more along the lines of a senior master guitar builder/artist sharing his wealth of knowledge of his craft and culture.

However, this book could have benefitted greatly from a more involved editor. There are organizational problems that a better editor would have sorted out. And perhaps a better title would be "Things About The Guitar"--oops, that one's already taken. Maybe "Thoughts About The Guitar" would be more appropriate.

If Spanish guitar's your thing, then "The Art & Craft" deserves a spot on your bookshelf.