Gerundino Guitar

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Gerundino Guitar

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gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

Gerundino Guitar

Hello every body!
After a long search, I bought a Gerundino Guitar.
I liked very much the sound of it, and I am very happy I could buy one.

my question for you guys is: have anybody some more information about gerundino?
ofcourse I checked the internet, but perhaps somebody knows a book or a brochure,
or something else about the famous builder.

thanks in advance, Peter.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 18:03:40

Paul Bruhns

Posts: 77
Joined: Jul. 14 2003

RE: Gerundino Guitar (in reply to gerundino63)

Hi Peter:

I have a Gerundino Blanca. Mine has a 54mm nut width and 660 mm scale. This gives the guitar an extreme amount of depth and resonance, but it takes some getting used to to play cleanly.

There is very little on the internet about Gerundino. His guitars were made famous because Paco Pena played them in the 1970s. After that, lots of performers chose his guitars. Gerundino is an enigma. Today he is in his seventies, has been reported in ill health for several years, and is reported to be all but deaf. My teacher in D.C. knows him personally, and they frequently talk on the phone (well shout at each other is more like it). I have played six or seven Gerundinos, all but one were blancas. They seem to vary in appointments, and neck feel. Mine has a wide neck, but very thin from top to back. The body is usually full with large rounded upper bouts. The head stocks never seem to be identical from guitar to guitar, and I get the feeling these are all carved by hand: some look very finished, others seem a bit rushed or less carefully done. Everyone, without exception has been a great playing and sounding guitar. And, these guitars need and deserve to be played alot, and the strings kept in good shape. As with any guitar, if let to set and be uncared for, they lose their tonal response immediately.
I have tried a couple Gerundinos that were not maintained in this fashion, and it was a shame to see. Worst of all, the guy selling them didn't care to keep good/ new strings on them.

Anyway, I hope you are very happy with yours. As you know he isn't making guitars anymore. I think 2001 was the last time he actually made a guitar, but he had several unfinished ones that were completed by another well known Luthier in Almeria (as a colaboration) at least that is what I have been able to glean form several discussions, but no one will say for sure this is true, as they still bear the Gerundino label. Be that as it may, the guitars of this period are fantastic examples of the Gerundino sound: very soulful, clear, and balanced.

By the way, mine is worth 3 to 4 thousand US dollars more than I paid for it, but I would never sell it. Never!

Regards,
Paul

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2003 18:59:20

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Gerundino Guitar (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Hi Paul!

Thanks for your reply.
The gerundino I have has the same measurment, and it is from 1988.
I am indeed very happy with it, it is a blanca, with the tippically Gerundino sound.
I use d'addario EJ46C (comporite) on it, but I am curious what you are using.
Would you like to tell that to me?

regards, Peter

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 8 2003 13:55:58

Paul Bruhns

Posts: 77
Joined: Jul. 14 2003

RE: Gerundino Guitar (in reply to gerundino63)

Peter:

I use lots of different brands of strings. I have used the D'Addario Hard Tension EJ46 strings and I think they are very good. Now, because the Gerundino has the longer scale (660 mm) you might experiement with other tensions and see what you like. Medium tension actually sounds very good on a Gerundino, but alot depends on your attack (how hard you play the string).

Another string that I like is the Hannabach Flamenco guitar string I think it's called HT827? And I have played these in High and Medium tensions and I like both, but maybe the high tension a little more so.

Regards,
Paul

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 8 2003 17:22:33

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Gerundino Guitar (in reply to Paul Bruhns)

Hi, Paul!

During my search for Gerundino, i bought a book from a writer in Almeria.

there is a chapter on Gerundino in it. It is in Spanish.

If you are interested, send me an e-mail, then i send you a copy of it. (it is 3.095 kb)

my email addres is: pc.vandortmondt@quicknet.nl

Lot of greetings, and even more "duende" Peter

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 13 2003 12:41:57

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Gerundino Guitar (in reply to gerundino63)

Peter,
I had a Gerundino 97' she responded very well to Savarez Allience Corum although the action was low and I got buzzing on the basses, so they had to be high tension.
As Paul mentioned, my Gerundino looked a bit rushed and the carving on the head was not symetrical and very hand finished. Great guitar to play but I found that I kept her in her case because I didn't want to get her damaged at gigs. I sold her in 2000 and got myself some nice 'working' guitars including a Ramirez 1a which is just fantastic.
Is yours a spruce or cedar top?
Cheers!
Jim.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 19 2003 8:43:10

gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Gerundino Guitar (in reply to Jim Opfer)

Hi Jim,
The gerundino has a spruce top.
Mostly i take an old Amalio Burguet for gigs and party"s.
I nearly bought a Ramirez 1a myself, I like them a lot too!
But after a long search, i found the Gerundino, and that was allways a heartwich for me!
greetings, Peter.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 19 2003 11:05:41