Amalio Burguet Model 1A 1988 / Amalio Burguet Model "Maestro" guitar 2007

 

Presented another and probably the most popular

model in their range, the 1A model. Here beyond 

I will discuss the Maestro model which is discon-

tinued but would cost about a 1000 euros more.

These 1A models are really good value for money.

Scale length: 655 mm. Width topnut: 53 mm.

Price in very good condition here: 1500 Euro's.

They are equipped with either a spruce or a cedar top.

This one has a cedar soundboard. This guitar furthermore 

is provided with an ebony fingerboard. The string tie

block is surrounded by a hard material which will prevent 

any damages caused by the tension of the strings.

This guitar made his years so chances are little 

that unwanted cracks will occur due to an improper 

construction detail somewhere. Made in 1988.

Both the neck and the back are free from nicks, dings

and scratches. A good and straight neck with enough

neck relief to let the strings vibrate freely.

You can enlarge the picture but as always there

might be some strange spots due to reflections 

while photographing so no damage here on the

right side of the guitar near the waist.

Sometimes inevitable damages might occur when placing 

a guitar against a wall. Nothing to be seen here. The wider

ebony inlays in the back of the neck appear to be less wide

on more recent models. And let's not forget that the sources 

to obtain the right woods are diminishing nowadays.

No cost saving moves on the choice of the tuners though

as always with older Spanish or classical guitars, the plastic

rollers often are cracked after a period of time, often

due to the expansion of the metal parts inside when

temperature changes are involved. These cracked ones

have been replaced with newer ones.

A remark could be made here as more than often these

small damages can be seen behind the string tie block of

a bridge when the higher strings pop off. Some string

companies provide their higher strings with a small ball

to prevent the string from slipping. In other cases it is

advisable to make a knot at the end of the higher strings 

to prevent these damages. Simply filling  them with 

varnish and / or super glue will cause a dark trace 

especially on cedar topped guitars. It is better to colour 

them first with paint to match the rest of the soundboard 

and then use super glue that will mix very well with 

the lacquer surrounding the area.

The fret wear can be studied here and for that reason 

the second string has been pulled out of the topnut.

Amalio Burguet Model "Maestro" guitar 2007

Presented here is a beautiful Amalio Burguet guitar.

Some work on this one but nothing serious. I will explain

the damages later here. Model "Maestro" which isn't

in the collection offered today. It was two models above 

the model 1A and with a retail price what would be

3500 euro's nowadays, the price was much more 

agreable recently. SOLD.

In fact very little damages apart from the sometimes inevitable

dings behind the bridge caused by strings that sometimes

jump loose and that counts for the highest strings. This problem

can be avoided by making a knot at the end of the string.

This guitar has been built in the month September in the 

year 2007. Signed by the luthier himself. It is just under

their premium concert guitar (but sometimes might even 

sound better.) Comparing prices with their 2021 pricelist

the amount for the more expensive guitars went up to

about 33 %!

A nicely shaped head with good tuners and 

a newly made topnut as I'm always opting

for a bit more room from the first string to

the edge of the neck. Width topnut: 53 mm.

The rosette and the narrow grained cedar top can be 

studied here and a closer look at the rosette as well.

This is what happens when the strings jump loose.

Always the two or three highest strings because 

they are more slippery. The result is almost always

a kind of scratch behind the bridge. Not deep but

deep enough to expose the bare wood. Moisture

now has a chance to get into the soundboard but

filling the small gap with lacquer always results 

in a very dark (ugly spot) I always try to match the

color of the soundboard with oil paint and  I fill the

small gap with super glue that really hardens out well

and mixes with the lacquer surrounding these spots. 

Therefore the spot will be more resistant in the

near future for this unlucky accidents. Depending 

on how the light reflects it is more or less visible.

Another worry for guitarists are the condition of the frets

on the guitar. I will always make a picture of the frets,

especially at the beginning of the fingerboard and under

the second string as that place most of the time has been 

played a lot. With wear as a result. No wear here.

The back is in a pristine condition as is the back of the neck.

Beautifully inlayed and where these guitars shine is their sound

of course. Really Spanish and most of the time at a reasonable

price. Also the 1A models can be very surprising!

A closer look is even possible here.

And no damages on the head caused by placing the guitar

against a wall. No cracks or other vital imperfections. 

Visible here is the reinforcement of the neck that in fact

is identical to the more recent 1A models.