Manuel Velazquez, 1967
Spruce / CSA Rosewood
This is one of those guitars that immediately makes sense the moment you play it.
If I were blindfolded and handed this instrument, my first thought would be: “That’s a Hauser II.” The basses have that same deep, humming authority, while the trebles lean just a touch darker and sweeter than a typical Hauser. It is a wonderful, characterful sound, refined but full of personality, and unmistakably musical.
Velazquez guitars have long been favored by legendary players including Paul Simon, Jorge Morel, Rey de la Torre, Adam Holzman, Ichiro Suzuki, Earl Klugh, and Eliot Fisk. Even Andrés Segovia famously admired Velazquez guitars. Unfortunately, a dispute meant he never owned one, but the endorsement speaks volumes.
This 1967 example has surprising volume and an immediate response, yet it never feels aggressive. The charm of this guitar is hard to overstate. Anyone lucky enough to play it will feel it right away.
Visually, the spruce top shows a gorgeous, well-earned patina along with striking bearclaw figuring. The Brazilian rosewood back and sides are exactly what you hope for here: dark, old-growth, and deeply beautiful.
Despite a wider-than-normal 55mm nut, the neck is remarkably comfortable. It is fairly thin in first position, and with a 43mm string spacing at the nut, it never feels cumbersome. Instead, you get a sense of extra real estate on both sides of the fingerboard for the first and sixth strings. You will not slip off. The first string in particular sings effortlessly, a hallmark of great Velazquez guitars and something I personally prioritize when choosing vintage instruments.
The guitar has been refinished and fitted with brand new Rodgers tuning machines, which are absolute top quality and a perfect match for an instrument of this caliber.
Specs
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Spruce top
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Brazilian rosewood back and sides (dark, old, and beautiful)
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Rodgers tuners (top of the line)
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650mm scale length
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55mm nut width
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43mm string spacing at nut
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56mm string spacing at bridge
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Thin, comfortable neck
Condition
Recently repolished, with a beautiful job done. The guitar presents in dead-mint condition.
Overall, this is a phenomenal opportunity to own an instrument by one of the most influential and important American guitar makers, and at a fraction of the cost these guitars often command. This is a special one.