Presented here is the top model of Amalia Burguet,
the so called AB (Amalio Burguet) model. I'm not sure
wether if every AB model has been equipped with a
so called "Doble Tapa" which means a layer of a softer
wood (spruce) sticked to the back, the way Manuel
Contreras reintroduced. This one is provided with
this double top (or back). Besides that the sides have
been veneered with a layer of Cypress from the
inside. Difficult to detect differences between these
models and a 'normal" guitar but the response of the
higher notes is beautiful rounded and very even in
sound and in fact comparable to a Jose Ramirez 1A
which is no surprise as Burguet also built guitars in
the "Madrid" tradition. Lot's of volume, a bit darker
sounding and a good playability at the same time.
Scale is 650 mm. Playing action measured on the
12th fret is 3 mm for the 1rst and 4,5 mm for the 6th
string with about 3 mm of protruding bridgebone to
even lower the playing action. What is of even more
importance is that the strings are making a steep
angle over the bridgebone so no loss of tone when
altering the height of the strings. List price at this
moment: Around 5900 Euro's for this example
Now: case included: Price € 2500,-
A question of trust of course but I guarantee a playing action
of 3 mm for the 1rst and 4,5 mm for the 6th string here.
The head presented here has the carving "AB" in
the furthermore graceful head design.
A fine grained spruce top with a bracing of its' own.
You can't describe it as a lattice bracing but it is also
far from a traditional fan bracing. More about this
bracing and a slight problem around it further here
The rosette as well as the edges are beautiful executed
regarding inlay work.
Enough bridgebone left to even lower the strings without
sacrificing anything from the tone as the strings are making
a steep angle over the bone.
I've included this picture as you can see a varnish
crack that runs from the bridge to the sound hole
on the left. As a restorer you would like to know
wether it is a crack all through the wood or just
in the top layer of the varnish. Therefore a light
bulb works well, especially with a spruce top as
this wood shines through. Together with a close
inspection with a mirror the conclusion can be
drawn: No crack on the inside visible but the
cause became clear to me:
One of the braces for the soundboard in that area
came loose in the past, thus causing a weak spot in
the soundboard there as a result from the tension
of the strings. Regluing the brace was not a big
problem and strengthening the spot in this way
has been executed. It doesn't' has any influence
on the final sound.
For me a bit of an odd looking type of rosewood though
investigations learned that Burguet uses Madagascar
rosewood for his premium model guitars.
Great tuners as well and I think we have to be grateful
the older Spanish luthier companies stopped using the
Fustero tuners as the company no longer exists. They
made beautiful tuners but mechanically spoken not the
top. These tuners are the top line of Gotoh 35AR510P.
but also can be found on the internet under "Gotoh
Hauser" tuning keys. (See below)
For more information please click on the picture. These
tuners are far superior to any others I've come across,
including the Fustero's and other brands.
And with their knobs clinched on the axes.
As can be studied here: No fret wear. In fact a guitar like new!
It comes together with a like new case.
