Vicente Arias, 1893

A rare and historically important guitar from one of the most revered names in the history of the Spanish guitar. Vicente Arias (1833–1914) stands alongside Antonio de Torres as one of the true pioneers of the modern classical guitar, and surviving examples of his work are exceedingly scarce, numbering only an estimated thirty to forty instruments worldwide. This 1893 example, with a spruce top and walnut back and sides, is a wonderful opportunity to own a genuine piece of guitar history from the 19th century.

Born in Alcázar de San Juan in the province of Ciudad Real, Arias began as a cabinet maker and was, like Torres, largely self-taught as a luthier, beginning his guitar making around 1860 before later relocating to Madrid. He is remembered for the extraordinary refinement of his marquetry and rosettes, for the diversity and modernity of his construction, and above all for the beauty of his tone. His guitars tend to be smaller and lighter than those of Torres, reflecting a belief that reducing mass would heighten responsiveness and tonal quality.

Arias's instruments were held in the highest regard by the leading players of his era, including Francisco Tárrega, and won prizes in Brussels, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Madrid. A famous anecdote recounted by Emilio Pujol describes Tárrega commissioning Arias to build a compact guitar he could practice on discreetly, a story that captures both the maker's ingenuity and his close relationship with the great artists of his day. In recent decades, renewed scholarly and performing interest, including a notable 2005 exhibition in Venice, has firmly re-established Arias among the most significant historical makers.

This guitar offers exactly what one hopes for from a fine 19th-century Spanish instrument: a charming, resonant, distinctly old-world voice with delicacy, warmth, and singing clarity. Light and immediate in response, it rewards a sensitive right hand and a nuanced touch, offering color and expressive character that simply cannot be replicated by modern construction.

An instrument of this rarity, provenance, and historical importance comes to market only very occasionally. For the serious collector or the player seeking a genuine voice from the golden age of the Spanish guitar, this is an extraordinary opportunity.

If you're interested in purchasing, please write to me at evan@guitarcollection.com