Instrument | Jeronimo Pena Fernandez |
Category | Imported Classical Guitars 〔Used〕 |
Number/Model | Especial |
Scale length | 670mm |
Country | Spain |
Year | 1978Year |
Top | Solid Ceder |
Side&Back | Solid South American Rosewood |
Condition※ | 8 |
List price | INQUIRE |
Price (tax included) | Please Inquire |
option | With Hardcase |
Click to enlarge the photos below
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish:Lacquer
Tuning Machine:FUSTERO
String height:1string 2.8mm/6string 3.9mm
[Profile]
Jeronimo Peña Fernandez (1933- ) was born in Marmolejo, Jaen province, Andalucia, Spain, and is a maker with a workshop there. He grew up as the son of a farmer, but at the age of nine he was apprenticed to a carpenter's workshop, where he learned woodworking and decorative carving. From an early age, he had an interest in guitars, and in the 1950s he began teaching himself to make them. One of his early works came to a collector, a mathematics professor, through the flamenco guitarist Pepe Marchena. The collector liked the work so much that he kindly allowed Jeronimo to borrow some of the best pieces from his collection for study and gave him some mathematical advice on fretting. Jeronimo became a fully independent guitar maker in 1967 (or 1966). He gained recognition and popularity for the precision of his woodworking techniques, the originality of his sound and design, and the total perfection of his instruments, including their excellent playability.
In 1993, he published a book entitled “El Arte de un Guitarrero Español” in which he described his woodworking techniques in detail. In it, he discusses the proper timing of wood harvesting and the design of his extremely unique internal construction.
His guitars are characterized by the carving of the head and bridge, the beauty of the carefully selected woods, and the slightly larger size, majesty, and elegance of his guitars. The internal construction is based on the traditional Spanish method of Antonio de Torres, but with a more detailed and complex design. It should be noted that this originality is not merely a peculiar idea, but results in the musical richness of the instrument.
He made both flamenco and classical models, the flamenco model being used by Manolo Sanlucar and other famous flamenco players and gaining fame, but the classical model with its impressive solemn appearance made of cedar wood is currently the most popular item. Randy Rhodes, a young genius guitarist who was an early band member of the British heavy metal band Ozzy Osbourne, used a 1979 Jeronimo Peña classic model. This makes it one of the most legendary and coveted items for hard rock fans.
[Description]
We have just received a 1978 Especial model made by Jeronimo Peña Fernandez. It is in very good condition. The head shape is not in the spire shape that is characteristic of the brand, but rather in a style reminiscent of Torres, with a different engraving design. The label also has a retro design, different from his regular models, and seems to be designed only for Especial models. The appearance of the head and bridge, including the striking but restrained design of the engravings, is excellent. Modest wood carvings on the fretboard end also accentuate the soundhole and the label.
The sound board is of standard size, but the body is thick, and its capacity and the nature of the wood are brought to bear on the resonance. The sound is well-defined from the bass to the treble range, and the sound generates a pleasant radiation of sound that seems to rise directly from the sound board. The volume does not give the impression of being overly amplified like modern guitars, but rather sounds natural and rich.
There are some string skipping marks on the lower first string side of the bridge, but other than that, there are only a few minor scratches on the side of the fingerboard and some fine friction marks from clothing, etc. Overall, considering the year of production, this is a very beautiful piece of guitar. There is no history of major repairs or modifications, such as cracks.