⚌SOLD‼ Alhambra Mengual & Margarit C Series Cedar Classical, 2011

The Alhambra Mengual & Margarit Series C Concert Classical Guitar, built by master luthiers Jose Menguel and Javier Margarit, feature lattice braced tops and French Polish finish, with the highest quality materials used throughout. Two versions are offered by The Twelfth Fret, with Red Cedar or European Spruce for the top. The Alhambra site lists only the Cedar version, as seen here in this 2011 example.

This Alhambra Mengual & Margarit Series C example dates to 2011 and is in good working order, with minor play wear. The finish has a slight cloudy or ‘milky’ hue, which is due to humidity during the finish process. As the finishing occurred a dozen years ago now, it seems completely stable. At one point, the original bridge was replaced.

Lattice bracing is a relatively recent development, allowing greater stiffness from a thinner, highly responsive top. This bracing style is complex – in this case there are nearly 60 pieces used. It is primarily attractive to advanced and professional players, who can draw greater subtleties of tone that aren’t available to those less skilled. Because of the thinness of the top and despite the added stiffness offered by the lattice, this style can be effectively ‘overdriven’ when played hard; Alhambra’s luthiers have struck a balance between thinness and stiffness, allowing the guitar to respond well regardless of the volume pulled from it.

Built in the traditional Spanish manner with a slipper heel integrating the sides, back, neck and top, the Alhambra Mengual & Margarit pairs solid Indian Rosewood for the sides, back, headplate and bridge with either Red Cedar or European Spruce top, Spanish Cedar neck with an Ebony fingerboard.

These guitars carry a French Polish finish, hand applied and very thin to impose minimal restrictions on the guitar’s vibration. French Polish is delicate, so a thin plastic tap plate is provided with the guitar; it can be quickly installed should the player desire it.

For hardware, the Alhambra Mengual & Margarit uses bone nut and saddle, with excellent Schaller GrandTune tuning machines in gold plating, with faux pearl buttons.

The original hard shell ‘Euro’ case is included.

Grant MacNeill and Gordon O’Brien sat down at The Twelfth Fret to discuss and demonstrate these spectacular, concert grade instruments. Enjoy watching the video review below – it is worth a watch and listen!