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21st June 2005 - Now I have a reply, so here is the providence:

Siento no hablar ingles.

He recibido las fotos de la guitarra que tiene usted. Efectivamente esa guitarra esta hecha por mi padre.

Por las fotos creo que es una guitarra de nogal, aunque como la guitarra es muy antigua en esa epoca el nogal era macizo y actualmente es contrachapado.

Un saludo.

Vicente Quiles

Gerente

 

Here is my rough translation:

I'm sorry not to speak English.

I have received the photos of the guitar that you have. Indeed that guitar was made by my father.

By the photos I believe that it is a walnut guitar, although as the guitar is very old, at that time the walnut was bulk and now it would be plywood.

Greetings.

Vicente Quiles

Manager

 

      The guitar itself sold on eBay - four hours before receiving this reply!

 

 

RICARDO QUILES BALLESTER - PROFESSIONAL ACOUSTIC

Have you played an Espana guitar before?
Maybe branded 'Espana', but this time I mean
a REAL Spanish Flamenco Classical Concert Guitar
MADE IN VALENCIA, SPAIN BY THE QUILES FAMILY OF
MASTER CRAFTSMEN THAT HAVE BEEN MAKING BEAUTIFUL
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENTS SINCE 1945!

I'm not certain about the wood, but probably Spruce top
with Walnut (look at the wonderful grain),
or possibly choice pieces of Indian Rosewood?

Wonderful Bookmatched Back
Fine binding and contrasting insets.

No it's not a Landola, Hagstrom, or an Espana... dare I say it's much better?
See more (big and detailed) pictures here:
www.hagstrom.org.uk/Quiles/ricardo_quiles_ballester.htm

Professional Quiles acoustic bridge
Superb detailed sound hole decoration
- all tiny individual pieces/slices - not a transfer!!

Very light (a sign of quality) - Wonderfully Mature Full and Bright Sound
A local music store compared it with a new (pah!) equivalent at around £450

Totally hand carved and prepared wood,
with a hand made hard case that fits PERFECTLY, and made especially for it.
The case has protected it over the years.
No big dings or gouges, hardly anything visible at all. 
On close inspection very minor rubbing on back but not an issue,
(too small to photograph, just me being honest)
Wonderful condition. Good Action.

I have no idea about the age, but it is at least 20 years old
There is a pencil mark "13" inside the body, I can't see anything else.
Lovely touches like contrasting facings on the headstock and heel

I have simply agreed to sell it for an old guy who can no longer play it, he doesn't
remember when he got it, but used to play occasionally up to 20 years ago.

I have restrung it with top quality Savarez strings (they cost £10.95), and
I include the open string pack for proof, and future replacement ordering from your store.

It is simply gorgeous, and if I could play classical properly, I'd keep it!
Do the old boy a favour, he's certainly doing someone a great favour by selling it!!!

I'll carefully pack and ship/post anywhere at cost.
Insurance at cost