Instruments
- Display 15 Products per page
-
1986 Contreras Concert Double Top Brazilian/Cedar
Here is a player’s condition 1986 Manuel Contreras Double Top Concert guitar with a signed label. Crafted from Brazilian Rosewood and Red Cedar in his Double Top construction which employs a back lined with Cedar for extra warmth. The voice is sweet, rich and warm, a fine example from Manuel Contreras I. While it does have a bit of cosmetic wear, it is truly sound and will make a great musical companion for the player who values tone over aesthetics.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26 in Nut Width 2.06 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1969 Contreras I Concert Brazilian/Spruce
An excellent concert guitar from Manuel Contreras (1928-1994). This one features a set of dramatic and beautiful Brazilian Rosewood and Spruce top. Built in 1969 this is a wonderful vintage Contreras guitar and has the mature tone you would expect. A solid playing instrument with great tone. Truly a classic.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26 in Nut Width 2.08 in String Spacing 2.36 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1971 Contreras Concert Brazilian/Spruce
The guitars of Manuel Contreras from the ’60s and ’70s are legendary and for good reason. They offer that deep, warm and powerful spanish sound. As a bonus this one also plays beautiful over the entire fingerboard, all you get is clear, articulate notes. The sustain and projection are wonderful and expected since the Brazilian Rosewood is top notch. A rare find indeed.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26 in Nut Width 2.06 in String Spacing 2.36 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1985 Contreras Double Top Brazilian/Cedar
This ’85 Contreras double-top, signed by Manual Contreras, is a remarkable sounding guitar. It has extremely strong lower-mids and powerful projection from the Brazilian Rosewood back and sides and Cedar top. The back is laminated inside with Cedar to create the ‘Double Top’ concept that warms up the voice considerably. The sustain is exceptional as well, and the entire guitar is full and warm yet wonderfully articulate. A very fine example of a Contreras double-top!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26 in Nut Width 2.05 in String Spacing 2.24 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1984 Manuel Contreras Sr. 1a Especial Double Top Brazilian Rswd/Cedar
Here’s a 1984 1a Double Top (Tapa) from Manuel Contreras Sr. With dark Brazilian Rosewood sides and back and a deep and rich-looking Red Cedar top. The Double Top design by Manuel Contreras I incorporates a Cedar lining on the back to add project and volume. This one is in extremely good condition for it’s age, clearly loved and cared for. Her sound is warm and rich, yet clear as a bell. A new one from Manuel Contreras II is $15,000 making this rare find from his father very special.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 2.05 in String Spacing 2.24 in Woods Cedar - Red, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1965 Contreras Class 2 Indian Rswd/Spruce Needs work, priced to move!
Here is a rare vintage Contreras Class 2 guitar purchased on Jan. 3 1966 in Madrid and offered here by the original owner. As a special treat this guitar comes with the original case and paperwork, including a receipt for the hotel stay in Madrid. Rosewood and Spruce, this guitar is loud and clear with beautiful character. The action is high, but the owner has allowed for setup work in the price which is very reasonable.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.79 in Nut Width 2.13 in String Spacing 2.44 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Indian 
2004 Contreras II 10th Anniversary Premium Series, Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce
Cream of the crop, an even mixture of sweetness and power—the Contreras 10th Anniversary model is a lifetime guitar. How could it be anything else? This piece of functional art is part of the Contreras II Premium Series, with their finest woods and appointments on display, and their patent double back design. Gorgeous-figured Brazilian Rosewood over Spruce; an intricate mosaic rosette pairs with mosaic tiled top trim and herringbone at the headplate; French Polished top for maximum resonance and Lacquer body for added protection. The voice is characterized by an even balance across the registers, with a touch extra pop in the top end, and we love the smooth sustain. There’s plenty of power under the hood, made possible by their doubled back design that allows the backplate to resonate more freely—adding volume and projection as well as sheer strength. This particular 10th Anniversary is from 2004 and has opened up handsomely between then and now. Snag this beauty before it’s gone!
Other keywords: classical guitar, nylon string, manuel contreras, andy jurik, steve newbrough, 108, road runner, brazilain
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.6 in Nut Width 2.09 in String Spacing 2.313 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1995 Contreras II 1 Especial – India Indian/European
Here we have a 1995 Contreras II 1 Especial – India in European Spruce and East Indian Rosewood. This is a fine representation of the skill the Contreras family wields as guitar builders: everything from the tone, fit, and finish is wonderfully executed on this classical. The tone is the true star here, exactly as a great classical should sound, pure and warm, with great balance from the bass to treble. The East Indian Rosewood back and sides are finished with a perfectly smooth gloss and the guitar’s light weight sits comfortably in your lap. The elegant Rosewood bindings and Brazilian Rosewood headstock plate are definite eye candy, but they pale in comparison to the dark, moody lines of the East Indian Rosewood back and sides. This Contreras is at once a guitar to play for hours, and then to ogle when you’re not.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.63 in Nut Width 2.13 in String Spacing 2.31 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Indian 
2008 Contreras II Double Top Cocobolo/Cedar
Manuel Contreras II has built a masterpiece in this Double Top (Doble Tapa) guitar. The ‘double top’ in this case actually refers to a layer of Cedar added to the back of the guitar which warms the reflections inside the body creating a truly magical voice. The notes on this Contreras are three dimensional each carrying weight and projection clearly. The Cocobolo Rosewood adds it’s rich, Brazilian-like character, while the Cedar top insure the dark, Spanish sound. We fell in love with this one immediately.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.59 in Nut Width 2.13 in String Spacing 2.19 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Cocobolo 
2007 Contreras II 10th Anniversary Premium Brazilian/Cedar
Manuel Contreras II Guitars, 2007 Contreras 10th Anniversary, Premium. This model is among Contreras’ finest instruments – it was the first-prize winner of the Joaquin Rodrigo competition in October of 2000. This particular guitar is his “premium series” version of the instrument, which indicates top selection of materials and workmanship. The materials used are exquisite, featuring his best well-aged Brazilian rosewood and very dark, elegant cedar for the soundboard. Workmanship is to the highest standards – this can be instantly detected even with a quick glance at the detailing, particularly in the purfling and rosette. In the innovative Contreras spirit, this model is uniquely constructed with an inner-sounding back support, which allows the back to resonate freely – eliminating much of the normal dampening caused from contact with the players’ body. The sound is penetrating and has exceptional sustain. It has huge projection and can fill any sized concert hall. A true “concert-grand” of an instrument. Manuel Contreras II died in January 2011 but his legacy continues through his instruments.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.59 in Nut Width 2.05 in String Spacing 2.2 in Woods Cedar, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Contreras II Concert Classical 10th Anniversary Premium Brazilian/Spruce
Manuel Contreras II is building some of the very finest concert guitars available in the world today. Carrying on his father’s passion for not just building exquisite instruments, but pushing the envelope of guitar design itself. In this his 10th Anniversary Premium he incorporates the Sounding Back Support, which employs a second back up above the back braces alleviating the deadening of sound that occurs when the players body touches the back of the guitar. The result is a concert guitar quite noticeably louder with resounding projection. This particular guitar features premium Madagascar Rosewood topped with Spruce so the clarity, separation and articulation are superb. This one was owned by Rene’ Moreno winner of major guitar competitions. He is only selling it to raise capital to return to Spain for additional musical training. Here’s your chance to own one of the very best.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.59 in Nut Width 2.09 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Brazilian 
New Contreras II 1a Especial Brazilian/Spruce
The Contreras 1a guitar has forged a place in guitar history. It is a sound well known from recordings by many premiere guitarists. This particular guitar has a grand voice and moves between power and nuance in a heartbeat. The crafstmanship is flawless and the Brazilian Rosewood is stunning, with tight grain and beautiful brick red hues. The Spruce top has abundant medullary rays which we are certain contribute to the warm, rich voice. The 1a Especial is made from only the finest materials inside and out. If you are seeking a serious concert guitar look no further. This is world class.
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.59 in Nut Width 2.05 in String Spacing 2.28 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Cordova, Miguel Flamenco Cypress/Spruce
An excellent Flamenco guitar from Miguel De Cordova. This wonderful instrument features the tone that professionals have come to expect thanks to the Cypress back and sides and Spruce top. The pickup enhances this guitar’s sonic capabilities and the Pegheds Planetary tuners are a very nice touch. This guitar plays wonderfully with smooth, even action.
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 25.75 in Nut Width 2.17 in String Spacing 2.36 in Woods Spruce, Cypress 
2011 Cornerstone (Peter Marreiros) SJ Brazilian/Red Cedar
Here we have a custom, Mint condition custom Cornerstone guitar in Brazilian Roswood and Red Cedar by luthier Peter Marreiros. Originally built for renowned nylon string player Rodrigo Rodriguez, this steel string guitar has a 1 15/16″ (49 mm) wide nut, making it ideal for someone transitioning from nylon to steel or the fingerstylist looking for a wider neck. The combination of Brazilian and Cedar gives this guitar incredible responsiveness and clarity, with truly pianistic note separation. And while the slotted headstock and 12 fret body joint hearken back to classical roots, this one has modern fingerstyle appointments like a Ryan style arm bevel, custom leaf-shaped soundport. This is a guitar that sounds stunning and can fill a large room by itself, ready to go on the main stage!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 24.88 in Nut Width 1.94 in String Spacing 2.28 in Woods Cedar - Red, Rosewood - Brazilian 
1995 Cumpiano Concert Koa/German
From the man who, quite literally, wrote the book on contemporary steel string guitar construction, we’ve got a beautiful example of a shallow-bodied Concert-size guitar. Decked out with Flamed Koa for the back and sides and topped with German Spruce, this little sound cannon from 1994 is more than ready to get down to the business of making music. Combining the dry attack of the former with the silky smooth tone of the latter, Cumpiano gives this guitar a voice which is equal parts Bluesy rumble and elegant Ballad. Featuring a slightly narrow neck (with the nut at 1 11/16″), this Concert is the perfect size for someone looking for a smaller package that can still bring home the bacon with regards to projection and sustain.
With a flatpick and Standard tuning, we were able to dig up some powerful, gritty grooves, but the cleanness of the trebles kept everything well balanced. Once we dropped the tuning into DADGAD and relinquished the picks in favor of our fingertips, the entire guitar became a much more nuanced creature, affording us an excellent expression toolset for creating different effects and moods. So: if you’re in the market for a Concert-size guitar which is smoothly balanced and incredibly lightweight and easy on the hands, this might just be the ticket!
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.69 in String Spacing 2.13 in Woods Spruce - German, Koa