"Guitarrería Universal" (Universal Guitar Workshop)
From: El Fomento industrial y mercantil July 30, 1899 n.º 300 page 3 Seccion lndustrial MONOGRAFIAS INDUSTRIALES MADRID Columns 1, 2 and 3.
""Guitarreria Universal" (Universal Guitar Workshop), owned by Messrs. Hijos de Gonzalez, established at Calle 33 Carretas. Were the nature of this work to permit it, we would most gladly dwell upon the description, history, and artistic vicissitudes of the guitar an instrument so popular in every country, yet in all of them so rarely truly mastered by the generality of players.
It made its first appearance in almost prehistoric times among the Hebrews, as a derivative of the *cithara* indeed, the Book of Genesis records that Tubal was the father of those who played such instruments. The *cithara*and its successor, the guitar were the very first musical instruments known to mankind.
The earliest guitars possessed only four strings. The celebrated native of Ronda, Vicente Espinel, added a fifth string toward the end of the 16th century however, it remains unknown exactly who added the sixth. In Italy, guitars with only five strings were still the norm at the close of the 18th century. Conversely, it is a matter of record that a Cistercian friar an organist at a Madrid convent named Fray Miguel Garcia, and generally known as *Padre Basilio" was the one who added the seventh string to the guitar, a feature now fallen into disuse. This same friar was also the one who introduced the technique of *punteado* (fingerpicking) to the guitar, which until then had been played exclusively using the *rasgueado* (strumming) technique. The aforementioned Padre Basilio was a truly marvelous performer, and he had the honor of serving as the instructor to Queen Maria Luisa, the wife of King Charles IV. There have been times in history when it was common practice to fit guitars with twelve strings, arranged in six courses of two strings each, tuned in unison. A few such examples are still crafted today, though the aficionados who specifically request them have become exceedingly rare.
Nowadays, the guitar in general, and the Spanish guitar in particular consists of six single strings. It possesses a more graceful form furthermore, for the greater comfort of the player, the dimensions of the soundbox specifically its depth have been somewhat reduced. However, we must acknowledge that whatever has been gained in slenderness through this reduction has been lost in sonority and sweetness or, as aficionados generally term it, *rumor*.
Spain has been, and remains, home to truly gifted geniuses who have drawn astonishing capabilities from this instrument. The names of Sor, Aguado, Huerta, Arcas, Cano, Tarrega, Lucena, and several others we cannot recall at this moment, are cited with pride throughout the world indeed, the art of crafting this instrument has reached the very highest degree of perfection.
The firm that currently stands at the pinnacle of this specialized craft in our country is, undoubtedly, that of "Hijos de Gonzalez" (Sons of Gonzalez), known as the *Guitarreria Universal*.
This aforementioned firm is the oldest of its kind established in Madrid. It was founded in 1850 by Don Francisco Gonzalez, a craftsman of exceptional intellect who achieved triumphs that remain unsurpassed. He increased the dimensions of the soundbox without compromising its aesthetic proportions he imbued the notes with greater sweetness and enhanced the overall volume of his guitars' resonance instruments whose vibrations sustain themselves for a truly marvelous duration. It was for these very qualities that his instruments were awarded prizes at exhibitions in Paris, Zaragoza, and elsewhere.
Upon the passing of Mr. Gonzalez, the establishment was entrusted to the care of his daughter, Doña Concepcion a highly distinguished artist and a guitarist of exceptional talent who has found no rival among players of her sex. Upon her marriage to the no less renowned artist Don Enrique Romans, they continued manufacturing operations under the trade name "Hijos de Gonzalez" a name they proudly bear to this day.
Mr. Romans' direct involvement in the firm's guitar manufacturing process served to place the definitive seal of perfection upon the instruments crafted there. Hence the company's incomparable professional reputation and the marked favor with which it is regarded by the public.
The firm's original founder had already made considerable strides in this field however, it was essential that the manufacturer's technical expertise be complemented by the artist's practical experience&mdashspecifically, to anticipate and address the myriad subtle nuances required to craft a truly perfect guitar. This was precisely the element contributed by Mr. Romans. An artist at heart an eminent guitarist possessing extraordinary musical erudition and unparalleled instrumental training he dedicated his tireless efforts to eliminating those minor flaws which, however slight, can truly mar the merit of even the finest and most luxuriously constructed instrument. Mr. Romans has achieved his objective. His motto is to triumph and compete on the basis of quality, without raising standard prices. Enthusiasts now know exactly where to turn to acquire an instrument that is both unsurpassed in quality and affordable.
In closing, we wish to note that the advancements and triumphs achieved by this distinguished maker are also owed to the effective and exceptionally astute collaboration of his talented partner. The students of both hold their beloved teachers in as much affection as respect indeed, when they step before the public to pursue their professional careers, the ovations they receive equal the very number of pieces they perform.
We congratulate Messrs. Hijos de Gonzalez on the brilliant standard they uphold in both the craftsmanship and the instruction of the classical Spanish guitar. After making due mention of their characteristic graciousness, our only wish is that our readers might have the opportunity to hear a concert given by this happy couple who have had the honor of performing before royalty abroad and whose portraits we feature on the front page of this issue."
