I have what I think is a Felix Manzanero guitar, but I recently saw other guitars made by Manzanero and the signature doesn't quite match up?

There's also a scratched out "Jr." on the label. Did he have a son that also made guitars?

The history is that I bought this guitar in the early 90's from Marote in Madrid.
Just curious.

He has a son, Ivan, that builds guitars in his shop. I do not know how they are marked other than they sell for about half his price. The label would say "hijo" not Jr. I would think. Manzanero also has semi pro models that others make for him and he does the final setup. Here is the problem I see. If this guitar was made in 79 would Ivan have been old enough to be building then? I am not sure when Ivan was born, but Felix was 1937 and he started work for Ramirez in 1951and worked there I believe 12 years. That gets us to 1963 when he started his own shop. Assuming Ivan was born in 1960 (just a guess) he would have been 19 in 1979 and hardly by Spanish guitar makers customs worthy of using his fathers labels adding hijo to sell his own guitars. I am again guessing, but It looks to me like someone was aware this was made by Ivan under his dads direction in his shop, but wasn't marked as such, so they added the JR. Who signed it? Why would Ivan not sign his own name or it be left unsigned? I do believe this guitar was made in Felix's shop because of the internal stamping and signing. It isn't one of the sourced out models that might bear the label but be unstamped or signed, IMO. Maybe you can contact their workshop and get more info. I would like to see more photos. Another clue is the label saying guitar number 4. Was this Ivan's 4th guitar? Why is this label signed as Felix? Puzzles me as I would think Ivan would sign this one. Also something bothers me about the headstock design. Can you post a better up close photo?

http://www.guitarrasmanzanero.com/

Here is a 1970 model. Compare signature. http://www.xguitars.com/manzanero/manzanero_detail.php

Here is 1980 signature http://www.classicguitar.com/classical/ ... _label.htm

And a 1979 label http://www.trilogyguitars.com/www2/shop ... zanero-top

Your guitar appears much neater signed than others by Felix. Also more printing than handwriting.

Here's a picture of the headstock.
Looks similar I think?

Yes, very similar, but a little less defined than the headstsock of the known all Felix made. I think whoever marked the JR on the label was correct and this guitar was made by Ivan in his dad's shop in 79. Probably as the label says #4 for him. I haven't been able to find any more info on Ivan and perhaps someone will see this post that knows more and can give more info on Ivan. I have seen several photos of Felix and his shop, but never any showing Ivan or any mention of him.

What is the guitar like to play? How does it compare to some of the better known flamenco guitars?

Lucas

It's been many years since I've played this guitar so the sound is a bit dull.
I think it's a matter of playing it again to get it to open up.

The whole reason for this detective work is I want to sell this guitar. It mostly just sits there so I thought it would be better if someone else actually owns this guitar and plays. A shame for it to just sit there.

I think I will email the Manzanero shop and see if I can get some additional information.

What would a guitar like this be worth now?

Value is a tough question. it depends on condition, playability, and sound, but most important finding a buyer. A guitar isn't worth any more than you can sell it for. If it is #4 by Ivan it might have some collectors value. To a player, the maker is of less importance and the usability is of more importance in establishing a value. Since new ones and no doubt better guitars by Ivan sell for $4,000, I would guess if this guitar has an easy action and sounds flamenco with good volume, a player might pay $1500-$2500. A collector might pay more. I would definantly get its history from Manzanero, then if you have an expert appraiser in your area, pay them for a written appraisal. Take a lot of detail photos of it, make a sound clip of it, and post it for sale on this site and see what happens. I haven't had much luck in the past selling quality flamencos. I got $350 for a Mexican Pimental that had several bad cracks, $1200 for a nice Victor Manuel Diaz (sold new for $5k) that just needed the french polish redone, and $3675 for a like new (used a couple months) Pedro Maldanado that sold for around $5k new. That establishes me as an expert on how to lose money selling fine flamenco guitars.