Description
Terraza Resonador 1898 – an extremely rare guitar invented by Carlos Terraza and built by Salvador Ibanez. Francisco Tárrega played a Terraza Resonador from 1897, which was most likely owned by Regino Sainz de la Maza.
Carlos Terraza (1856–1916) is generally known as a Valencian bandurria player of the 19th century. However, he was also an innovator, having received several patents for the construction of guitars, bandurrias, and tuning devices. One of these patents was for a resonator for guitars and bandurrias. The fact that he included a drawing with his patent application shows that he was well aware of how to construct an instrument. It is said that Terraza became blind in his later years, which led him to collaborate with luthiers like Salvador Ibanez, and possibly Vicente Arias and others, to realize his designs.
These guitars were highly regarded in the musical world of the time and were considered luxury models with exceptional sound quality. In 1897, Francisco Tárrega commissioned such a guitar from Salvador Ibanez. This guitar still exists today and is part of a private collection (see attached pictures).
This fine Terraza Resonador was built by Salvador Ibanez in 1898. A photo associated with this guitar shows Regino Sainz de la Maza, who allegedly played and owned it, although this cannot be proven. The guitar features a very fine spruce top and beautiful rosewood back and sides. It has a 5-fan bracing pattern but does not have an additional resonator back. The models were apparently built with or without a resonator back, depending on the customer’s request. The scale length of the guitar is 645 mm, and the nut width is 50 mm. The string action is comfortably low at 3.5 mm for the low E string and 2.9 mm for the high e string at the 12th fret.
This extraordinary and beautifully sounding guitar by Carlos Terraza and Salvador Ibanez represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship from its time. The guitar is distinguished by its exquisite tonal quality, which is both rich in overtones and remarkably clear and precise in the separation of individual notes.
Thanks to its ultra-light construction, it responds instantly to every nuance of playing and offers impressive tonal modulation as well as dynamic expressiveness. Its exceptional sound power dispels the myth that old guitars lack volume or presence. With its characteristic sound, it is ideal for interpreting music from the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly the works of Francisco Tárrega. The clear separation of notes and the colorful tone of this guitar perfectly capture the essence of Tárrega’s compositions, from his lyrical melodies to his complex and layered polyphonies.
The guitar is in good condition. It has undergone light restoration, with a few cracks professionally repaired. This fine guitar is now 100% ready to play and will undoubtedly delight its new owner. It comes delivered in a newer case.
Here some links abot Terraza Resonador:
https://guitarra.artepulsado.com/foros/index.php?threads/resonador-terraza.22958/page-6
