A true piece of American History, this 1961 Manuel Velazquez Classical Guitar belonged to iconic American Actor, James Cagney. This guitar was auctioned off alongside property from the estate of James Cagney through the William Doyle Gallery in New York City in 1992 and comes with the original auction book as well. This Velazquez Classical is in fantastic condition, and the only modification being that the guitar was refinished. There are three top cracks on the guitar that are common to the thin tops on Velazquez' guitars and they have all been professionally sealed, repaired and cleated by our luthiers. This guitar has been thoroughly checked over and fully set up by our luthiers and is ready to be an endless source of inspiration for someone who will truly appreciate this instrument.
This guitar is more than a collector's piece, this is a beautifully crafted, perfect playing instrument, that is filled with the history and charm of an American legend. This guitar truly deserves to be appreciated, and we are proud to help find this guitar a worthy home.
Manuel Velazquez was born in Puerto Rico in 1917, beginning his long and notable road to becoming one of New York's most respected guitar makers as a cabinet maker as a boy, eventually building his first guitar at twelve years old. After spending his childhood and adolescence building guitars with the help and tutelage of relatives who were instrument repairmen, he eventually moved to New York City in 1942, where he developed a reputation for an incredible eye for detail and sound, eventually dropping his day job in favor of being a luthier full time, building Hauser style classical guitars at an ever increasing level of quality, becoming one of the most respected classical builders of his day.
Specs:
Top Wood: Spruce
Back and Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Fingerboard Wood: Ebony
Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Headstock Face: Brazilian Rosewood
