Santos Hernandez
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Model: 1923 Santos Hernandez flamenco guitar
Top:
German Spruce
Back
and Sides: Cypress
Scale:
650mm
Nut:
52mm
Finish: French polish
Tuners:
pegs
Country: Spain
Year:
1923
Condition:
Excellent
Santos Hernandez
(1874-1943) is
widely considered the greatest Spanish luthier
of the first half of the 20th century, Santos Hernandez was born in Madrid
in 1873. He apprenticed first with Valentin Viudes II, then went to work for
José Ortega in Granada, but soon returned to
Madrid to work for the Hijo de Francisco Gonzalez. In 1893, he was called up
for military service, and fought in Spanish-American war. Upon leaving the
army, he found work in the shop of Manuel Ramirez. It is accepted that it
was Santos who made the classical guitar that Manuel gave Andres Segovia in 1912. When Manuel
died in 1916, Santos continued to work for his widow until at least 1918
when he opened his own shop on Plaza Nicolas Salmeron, no 8, however, even
then he may have continued to
make guitars Ramirez's widow until her death in 1921. The guitars he made for
the Vda de Manuel Ramirez carry his initials S.H. on her label. About 1921 he
had moved his shop to Aduana 27, From 1916 to
his death in 1943, Santos is thought to have made perhaps 300 guitars.
Virtually all the major flamenco players his day played Santos Hernandez
guitars: Ramon Montoya, Niño Ricardo, Sabicas, Esteban de Sanlúcar, Manolo
de Huelva, Manolo de Badajoz, etc. His classicals are likewise highly
prized. This flamenco guitar has been restored and is a fine example of his work.
1923 Santos
Hernandez played by
Gaetano
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