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Darren Hippner Santos Hernández Grand Auditorium Flamenco Guitar – Spruce/Cypress – Hardshell Case - 2009
A beautifully crafted, remarkably responsive flamenco blanca from American luthier Darren Hippner, this 2009 Santos pairs traditional spruce-and-cypress construction with a design inspired by one of the giants of Spanish guitar making. Handmade entirely by Hippner in his one-man shop, this is a serious luthier-built instrument with the light construction, immediate response and crisp articulation that define a fine traditional flamenco guitar.
Darren Hippner has been building guitars professionally full-time since 1994. A fourth-generation carpenter and cabinetmaker, Hippner developed his craft through the study, collection and examination of fine Spanish classical and flamenco guitars. His operation is a true one-man shop: according to Hippner, every instrument is built by him personally, without employees, apprentices or associates. By 2012, he had produced more than 700 guitars.
The Santos is Hippner's tribute to legendary Spanish maker Santos Hernández, whose work occupies an important place in the development of the modern flamenco guitar. Hippner specifically based this model on a 1930 Santos Hernández blanca, employing traditional flamenco construction with cypress back and sides and either a spruce or cedar soundboard. Hippner describes the model as having quick, crisp and raspy tonal characteristics with plenty of volume.
This example is serial #601, dated 2009. The soundboard is spruce, paired with beautifully figured cypress back and sides and a traditional clear golpeador. Its dark rosewood appointments, ornate rosette and gold classical tuners give the otherwise understated blanca design a particularly handsome appearance.
Condition
This guitar is in very good overall condition, especially considering its age. The spruce top, cypress back and sides, neck and headstock all present very nicely, with normal light evidence of handling and playing.
The transparent flamenco-style golpeador remains in place on the soundboard. There are some small areas on the top and neck joint where lacquer wear has been filled in with red coloring in an attempt to match the amber finish. Please examine the photographs closely for the best representation of its cosmetic condition.
A hardshell case is included. Case is in excellent condition and fully functional with some ageing on the latches.
Specifications
The dimensional specifications above are Hippner's published specifications for the Santos Hernández model.
