Neck：Cedoro
Fingerboard：Ebony
Finish：Shellac
Tuning Machine：FUSTERO
String height：1string 3.0mm/6string 4.5mm

[Profile]

It was the joint brand of Santiago Manuel Hernandez (1895-1975) and Victoriano Aguado Rodriguez (1897-1972), with Hernandez in charge of body production and Aguado handling paint, head work, and overall supervision. Commonly known as 'Aguado', it is considered one of the most famous classical guitar brands of the late 20th century.

Hernandez was born in Valmojado, a village near Toledo, Spain, and his family moved to Madrid when he was eight years old. Aguado was born in Madrid, and the two worked together at the 'Corredera' piano workshop in Madrid, where they became good friends. Hernandez began his apprenticeship there at the age of 14, and his excellent technique and passion for his work soon made him a key member of the production team. After the piano workshop closed in 1941, the two opened a joint piano and furniture repair workshop.

In 1945, they had the opportunity to seek the advice of Rejino Sainz de la Maza, a composer and one of the most famous guitarists of his time, on two guitars they had made for private use. The virtuoso appreciated their talent and encouraged them to make guitars, even loaning them his own Santos Hernandez guitar for their research. They also lent space in their workshop to Modesto Borreguero (1893-1969), who was in poverty at the time, allowing him to work and observe the guitar-making process closely. This was a decisive moment, and the two decided to focus their workshop on making guitars.

With the guidance of De La Maza and Borreguero, Aguado's guitars became very popular, and at one point the brand had a waiting list of over 70 people. The first shipment was No. 100, which was numbered consecutively until the last one, No. 454, in 1974. Some shipments around 1970 were made by Marcelino López Nieto (1931-2018), another highly regarded Madrid maker, and Vicente Camacho (1928-2013), to meet the high demand.

The most distinctive feature of this brand is the absolute charm of its tone, not to mention the graceful body line often likened to a noble lady, and the simple, dignified head design. The sound and tone are unparalleled, with a texture akin to the human voice—expressive and warm, and at times as sharp and massive as a percussion instrument.

Hernandez's beloved daughter Emilia, who appears in the brand's anecdotes, married Jesús Velezar García (1920-1986) in 1945 and became the legitimate successor to Aguado, inheriting their spiritual approach and producing masterpieces.

De la Maza, who was a major inspiration for Aguado to begin making guitars, later purchased and used several of their guitars, as well as those of John Williams, Yupanqui, and other greats.

[Description]

We are pleased to announce the arrival of a Hernandez y Aguado 1965 No. 304. This is a piece that allows you to experience the high potential of the guitar as an instrument during the brand's best years.

Several makers were appointed as substitutes in response to the ever-increasing back orders and to compensate for Aguado, who had been ill since the late 1960s. Therefore, the true collaboration between Hernandez and Aguado remains the value criterion for this brand.

As Roy Courtnall, author of 'Making Master Guitars,' pointed out, one of the charms of Hernandez y Aguado is that they “do not impose a strong personality on the player. Their beautifully harmonized guitars simply wait for the performer’s skill and interpretation until they are given life.” The greatest characteristic of Hernandez y Aguado guitars is their sound, described as a “singing voice.” While the guitar is an instrument that connects sounds like a series of dots, Hernandez y Aguado creates delicate and dynamic fluctuations, as if it were a living organism with a flowing line.

The entire body has probably been repainted, but with minimal treatment that retains the feel of the original. There is no history of major repairs such as cracks. Although the string length is 660 mm, the string tension is moderate, and the guitar feels easy to play due to its optimal string height.