Back/sides
Scale
Tuners
Finishing
Condition
Playability
Origin
Current status
Personal comment
: Brazilian Rosewood
: 650mm
: Fustero
: French Polish
: great (with 2-3 small dings)
: great
: Granada, Spain
: Personal collection
:
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This is my second Antonio Marin Montero. It seems that I got a soul contact
with this humble Granada maker, since I soon felt in love this instrument as much as
I did with my first Marin.
Compared to my first Marin (no.69, made in 1974), this one has completely different characters ! I believe there are 2 reasons behind this tonal difference! The first reason is the material difference. This one uses spruce, while the #69 Marin's top is cedar. The second reason is the structure/bracing of the body difference. I think the #69 cedar Marin was built before Mr.Marin met and got influences from Mr Robert Bouchet (the most famous French late luthier). From the long 664mm scale, I think it was built upon a Ramirez model. However, this #243 Marin was made in 1979, when Mr.Marin had already met Mr.Bouchet and did some research together with him. Thus, I believe the structure used in this guitar is based on one of Bouchet guitars. |
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This is definitely a concert guitar, maybe almost as loud as Fleta, or even Bernabe. I often heard Marin guitars
are famous for their beautiful "Granada" sound, but I'd like to add here that based on my
experience of hearing/playing different Marin guitars, they are indeed powerful guitars too.
The trebles are really clear like crystal (the features that I usually detect in good Brazillian Rosewood guitars), but deep and round. The basses, though not as powerful as Derecho or Fleta, are quite punchy and deep as well, not boomy at all. Overall, the balance is satisfying. The separation is really good. It reminds me of Fleta or Howell guitars. From the character of the guitar, I'd say the guitar is enjoyable to play Spanish music with. The craftmanship and the playability are great too. It looks like a new guitar, because it was just refinished (the frets, the French polish, even the tuners!). But thanks God, the sound is already open and responsive (fast-attack), so it is not necessary to consume much time to make it open again! |
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Finally, I would say this is my truly favorite guitar at the moment since it matches
with my touch and my style so well, after such a long search !
The previous owner even told me that because of the recent repolishing, the guitar is like a new one, and tonally it will still improve over the next few years! I cannot believe what this guitar will become in the future. Please also read his complete comment about the guitar. |
