25th Anniversary Announcement:

10/31/96

To commemorate 25 years of providing fine classical guitars, Jerry Roberts is pleased to announce a special line of handmade guitars to be marketed under the LaMancha® banner. The line will include guitars inspired by Fleta, Hauser, Ramirez, Santos, Esteso, Panormo, Torres and other legendary makers.

Installments one and two are currently available. They are from noted California luthier and concertizing performer Kenny Hill and Swiss luthier Gil Carnal, with assistance from some of Mexico's most talented luthiers. Hill and Carnal continue to operate their workshop in Northern California, spending half their time there and half in Mexico.

As the project matures their current hands on role will shift more to a supervisory status. The tremendous skill of the small team of luthiers makes this possible. The first few instruments are signed by Kenny or Gil under the soundboard (an old Spanish tradition). All instruments are of concert quality hand crafted from all solid woods, very carefully selected from well seasoned stocks in California and shipped to Mexico at great expense.

These are not exact clones of Ramirez, Hauser, etc., although we have done our homework. A few of the changes to the Madrid Model include reduction of scale length to 650mm, a neck to body angle allowing lower string height, elimination of the side lamination, a reinforcement under the fretboard area of the top and an improved neck reinforcement.

The guitars are being built in batches of four with each batch incorporating improvements in finish and other details. These instruments are being introduced in the $2000 to $3500 price range. In the hands of some top players they have compared favorably to guitars costing thousands more; however we are most interested in hearing your opinion. Call 1-800-775-0650 for further information.