Richard Jernigan -> RE: Is Manuel Reyes Sr. overrated? (Nov. 15 2016 15:45:24)
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I've told part of this story here before, but maybe not the last part. I bought my first guitar at age 19 in Paracho, for 300 pesos ($24 at the time). Ramon Zalapa, the dealer, also sold office furniture and paint. He said he had a factory where ten men made guitars. I picked out the loudest of the ten or so he had in the shop. Of course I knew nothing at all about guitars, but being a 19 year old twit I had to say something, so I told him the guitar was great. He pushed back his straw hat, grinned widely flashing a gold tooth, and said, "Pues, todos no salen igual." Forty-four years later, discussing over the telephone a collector's item classical, made by one of the most famous luthiers of the 20th century, I told the Paracho story to the dealer, who had an extensive inventory of very expensive instruments. He had also had a European career as a concert artist and professor. The dealer roared with laughter for quite a long time. In the event, I bought the guitar, after having it on trial for ten days. When I first played it, I thought something was wrong with it. It seemed both weak and tinny. Then I began to figure out how to play it, and it started to sound better. I was curious, and I knew I could flip it to Japan at a profit. The dealer said it hadn't been played for years. In the end I learned better how to play it, and I think it opened up. Now it's one of the best classical guitars I have ever played--for me, but maybe not for someone else. RNJ
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