NO RESERVE. Manuel Rodriguez Sr. made this classical guitar in 1962, only three years after his arrival in Los Angeles. He moved there with the assistance of guitarist and instructor Theodore Norman, who was his patron. Norman became the head of UCLA’s Guitar Department in 1967, and he and Rodriguez worked together at UCLA to improve guitar designs. In fact, Rodriguez named one of his sons Norman in tribute to his good friend. Many guitarists and celebrities in Hollywood purchased guitars from Rodriguez during the 14 years that he had his workshop there.


Although this is a classical guitar, it has a clear plastic golpeador more commonly seen on flamenco instruments. It’s likely that Rodriguez Sr. added this feature for American guitarists who were more likely to play with a pick instead of their fingers in a traditional classical style.

Serial number: 176
Top: Cedar with clear plastic golpeador
Back and sides: Rosewood
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: Ebony
Frets: 19
Bridge: Tie block
Tuners: Machine with white pearloid buttons