aarongreen -> RE: Why Did Carolos Montoya Give his 1951 Marcelo Barbero to Sabicas? (Nov. 7 2012 19:47:45)
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Hi Bill The story is Sabicas acquired the guitar from Montoya, however that transaction is not known to have been a gift, an equally likely scenario is a sale or trade. Montoya, was in the day, the most famous flamenco guitarist alive, whatever you think of his chops, that was his status. Sabicas worked at Montoya's place, la Zambra and I think it more likely that Montoya let him have the guitar as he could, in his capacity of being Barbero's most famous client, get another guitar no problem. Sabicas played the guitar for a while and gave it to Fidel Zabal, his friend, in return for some transcrptions he did. Which could have also been a trade depending on how you look at it. Zabal sold it to Robert Schultz so Robert could take Zabal's place on tour with Jose Greco. I think the issue is more of hindsight clouding the reality of the times. All those guys went through guitars and Barbero was very much an active builder and a young one at that. By the time Bob got the guitar, I believe Barbero had passed but it was very recently. His name did not stir any great level of awe like it does today. To which I will add to all of you guys not to be dismissive of today's builders....you never know.:) Sabicas owned lots of guitars in his life, a good friend witnessed him selling a Conde he owned.... he was playing it like it was his girlfriend, making all sorts of ecstatic faces and then saying, with his head shaking in regret...."it's such a shame I just can't get used to the neck" Horsetrading at it's finest. For me personally, Barbero is the best of the old boys. I think of him as a genius, every guitar of his I have seen has had a profound and robust voice with a razor attack and a broad tonal palette. IMO the flamenco equivalent to Hauser. Not long ago I had a client, who happens to be a fine player..come to pick up his 41 Hauser I sold and then restored for him. That is the best (for me) Hauser I have ever heard, very deep and soulful with unlimited tonal range. Next to that I had to show him a client's Bouchet, from '55, likewise the best example of that builder I've seen. My guy has an interest in Bouchet and since I had one to show him, I did. Then I pulled out the 51. This was prior to it's sale, btw. He liked it better than the Hauser or Bouchet. He told me if it hadn't sold by the new year, he would take it. As it turns out another guy beat him to it. Which is how it goes. You may disagree if you were to see it, but for me the 51 is an iconic guitar beyond comparison. There are others equally fine and a few equally famous but not in the same guitar. But thats my opinion so take it for what it's worth.
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