1973 Manuel Contreras (Spain) 656 mm scale, 51 mm nut spruce top, Spanish cypress sides and back, original catalyzed urethane varnish, original rosewood friction tuning pegs.  The frets were replaced by the Bruné workshop several years ago and are like new.  This is the late Manuel Contreras Sr’s best signed 1a flamenco model.  Manuel (1928-1994) began his career in the shop of José Ramírez III, and was part of the original group of Ramírez craftsmen responsible for perfecting the design of the iconic Ramírez 1a.  Manuel left the shop in 1962 to begin his own shop, and went on to be highly productive and well respected with patronage by all the great players of his era.  This splendid example of his personal work is exceptionally well preserved, the only repairs being a small heel crack and a short hairline back crack, both now all but invisible.  The original varnish shows almost no playing or handling wear, and the action is perfect, low but not to the point of buzzing.  The sound is full and solid, with “in your face” projection.  The balance is perfect and this would be a perfect instrument for the virtuoso soloist, as the focus and definition of the notes is uniform and very controllable, without wild notes or blank areas on the fretboard.  Many notable flamenco soloists have used contreras guitars, particularly Juan Serrano who has recorded several albums on Contreras instruments.  $6,000