Granados / Esteve Model 3

 

Presented here is an early Granados / Esteve guitar from

 the Valencia based company Francisco Esteve Model 3.

Surpisingly most models beyond the 1000 euro range have 

mahogany sides and back. The top here is made out of

cedar. I will further explain what has been done to this 

guitar. Price new: around € 800. Now: € 175

At first the label in this guitar that needed some extra investigation.

I'm do not always trust the model numbers. That has to be confirmed

by some outer features such as the bridge tie block that has been

'edged" on the model 3 and is not present on the model 1. The roset 

on this model has been executed more luxury. So yes!

During the late seventies, eighties and early nineties often a rather 

thick industrial lacquer (polyurethane) was used on a lot of Spanish 

made guitars often resulting in a sort of clouding of those layers.

You can also describe it as  a bit of a "foggy" look. Another

disadvantage was that being quite hard, the layer can also develop

some cracks in the varnish. Those varnish cracks can be seen

here. They are not in the soundboard itself though and a light

bulb can be used to testify that.

Therefore this picture as such cracks are prone to humidity

issues such as a sort of discoloration of the wood where these

cracks appear. Nothing serious though, but it should be 

mentioned and discussed to my opinion. A 12 hole bridge

has been made for a better angle over the bridgebone and 

the possibility to even lower the strings.

The more luxury roset on the model 3 guitars can be studied

here as well as the polished highest frets and the rosewood

fingerboard. Inevitable small damages can be seen on the

right but nothing to worry about.

The so well known headform and of course a new topnut

made out of bone. Apart from that this guitar received

new rollers as more than often these are showing cracks

after a longer period of time.

Maube this back of the head is not free from slight damages

but no cracks or whatsoever.

Good working tuners together with fretwork that will

serve you for years to come.

Here the condition of the lower frets can be studied. As is 

explainable the lowest frets are showing the wordt wear.

The back still looks great. No issues here