
Velazquez's relationship with Goya ended in 1967 when he closed his "guitar factory" and returned to solo building. During this time, Michael Gurian apprenticed with Velazquez, and supposedly, so did Larrivee it is also possible that he was having guitars (or at least parts of them) made in his native Puerto Rico. 23rd Street - three blocks east of Hershman Musical Instruments/Goya Music Corporation at 53 W.
#Goya classical guitar 50s full
Top: Bavarain spruce, kiln-dried and aged at least 20 years before purchase by Velazquez, additionally aged at least one year in the North American climate Sides & Back: Brazilian rosewood, kiln-dried and aged at least 20 years, including one year in the North American climate Neck: Honduras mahogany, kiln-dried and aged Fingerboard: hand rubbed African ebony Bridge: Brazilian rosewood with bone inlays Frets: polished German silver Tuning Heads: ornate imported, hand-decorated solid brass and blue steel with mother-of-pearl handles and wide bone shafts Action: concert action for full power and projection of tone.Īs for the other models, the G-50F "El Flamenco" was just that and the G-50L was the El Maestro renamed the "La Mixta."Īnd guess where Velazquez's NYC "guitar factory" was located: 205 E. The ad gave the following specifications for the El Classico-note that they're identical to those in the 1966 Goya catalog for the G-50C:

The Goya G-50C "El Clasico" was the El Classico with one "s" dropped.
#Goya classical guitar 50s professional
In addition, every instrument is tested for feel, action, and tonal quality by Rolando or Albert Valdes-Blain, well-known concert guitarists-and it must meet their professional standards before leaving the workshop. The work is done by skilled craftsmen apprenticed to and trained by Velazquez-and it remains under his continual personal supervision. Velazquez has help in constructing, assembling, and finishing the rest of the instrument. Each top-the soul of the instrument-continues to be selected, made and hand-calibrated by Sr.

The materials are the same as ever, personally selected for each guitar by Sr. This dramatic price reduction has been achieved without sacrifice of Velazquez quality. But now, thanks to slightly expanded facilities, Velazquez guitars will be available in greater quantity-and at a cost well within reach of all who love fine guitars. Velazquez produced fewer than 20 guitars per year, and at a price which put them out of reach of almost everyone except top professionals. According to his two-page ad in Guitar Review magazine from that year: "And the curtin is slowly drawn back on a mystery.Īfter gaining notoriety for his guitars, in 1961, he started "Manuel Velazquez Guitars, Inc." in NYC. (I'm also the guy that donated a 1966 Goya catalog depicting them to Jack Walsh so he could image it on his excellent goyaguitars website.) Although it came with two MOP-inlaid headstock veneers of different woods-which might otherwise indicate it was a prototype, I think not, as the neck on mine is 2 1/2 inches wide at the nut (yes, you read that right!) and was purportedly made for someone with banana fingers. ""I came across your 4-1-06 post where you said: "If anyone has a G-50 both Hans Moust and I would like to know about it."

The only person I have shown it to was Hans Moust to whom I forwarded it immediately. In November, 2006, I received the following email from John McLendon. Martin had nothing to do with them either. These were contracted by Avnet to a third party. To me it seems like Canada is the only place where these guitars are found.Not made by Guild. Martin and the 'transitional' period Martin was going through. Gives some interesting insight into the Canadian arm of C.F. I found an interesting thread on the 'Unofficial Martin Website' that relates more to the Sigma and : I would love to compare this to an authentic, Made in Nazareth, PA 1970s Martin Dreadnought - I have a feeling this would stack up. I have a feeling that the top of the M-30 is ply, but I'm going to take a closer look this evening. I wish I knew a bit more about it's construction.

However, I think this guitar sounds amazing. Once Goya was 'bought' by Martin and production moved to from Sweden to Korea, the Goya brand lost it's luster. I'm trying to find information but it's pretty sparse.
