Manuel de la Chica 1970
MADE IN GRANADA

For many the guitars of Manuel de la Chica, especially those built in the 50’s and 60’s 70’s till his retirement in 1973 are one the most beautiful sounding guitars ever produced in Granada. A city that is a reference point in the history of traditional guitar making worldwide.

We love the guitars of Manuel de la Chica, and whenever we find one it is always a very special experience.

Here we have one of the guitars built toward the end of his working life, as Manuel unfortunately retired in 1973 due to respiratory problems.

There are some interesting changes compared with the other DE LA CHICA GUITAR FROM 1957 that we have in our collection. Some measurements were modified, such as the scale length, the width of the sides, which is slightly greater, and the nut width, which is now 52 mm, the standard. Interestingly, despite these slightly larger dimensions, the guitar weighs less. This suggests that the wood thicknesses he used were probably the same or perhaps even thinner than the 1957 guitar.

Aesthetically, we can also see in this 1970 guitar a different rosette and a decorative detail running along the entire purfling of the guitar. There is also a slight change in the headstock design, while still maintaining his visible stylistic connection to Santos Hernández.

Santos Hernández is always present in the guitars of the great master Manuel de la Chica, who sought to reproduce both the playability, the measurements, and the construction system of the great Madrid master whom he admired so much.

But what surprised us the most is the use of nine braces in the fan bracing. Manuel de la Chica normally used the seven-brace pattern of Santos Hernández. This tells us many things: a search for a different type of sound and characteristics, while still preserving the typical De la Chica sound. It also reflects the continuous search and experimentation of this guitar maker to find new tonalities and construction systems that could further improve the quality of his creations.

The guitar has a deep and very beautiful traditional Spanish sound, somewhat mellow, sweet and lyrical, while maintaining a very quick response and an exceptional balance between basses and trebles.

The best way to appreciate it is to listen to the great Granada guitarist Luis Mariano. Below you can hear his playing and compositions, and we have tried to accomplish the always difficult task of reproducing the true sound of the guitar in the recording.

The woods used by Manuel de la Chica in this guitar are of very high quality and beauty, as can be seen in the photos.

The condition of the guitar is very good: there are no cracks in the top, back, or sides. Keeping all the proper angles, no cracks, there have been no restorations, and everything on the guitar is completely original.

Manuel de la Chica García (1911-1998) He started out as a cabinet-maker. His love of guitar making started with his visits to the workshop run by Pepe ‘el de la Alhambra” on the Granada street Correo Viejo. His experience making furnitures and his innate talent allowed Manuel to pick up the basics quickly and soon he was building guitars in his own workshop in the Plaza la Sillería, where in addition to guitars he also built great variety of other instruments including violins. In fact you can read in his Label “Manuel de la Chica – Constructor de Violines y Guitarras” (Manuel de la Chica – Violins and Guitars maker)