1969 Vidala (Argentina) Classical Guitar

This elegant, folk-style classical guitar was given to me sometime back. It was in really rough shape with a heavily-distorted top (it's still pretty distorted even after repairs), loose seams with missing kerfing, a destroyed bridge, and whatnot. Happily, it went all back together just fine and has been holding-pat for the last few days and not budging.

I'm going to keep this one in my own collection as it has just the voice I've been after for home playing -- even, balanced, sweet, and full. It's got a bit of that "dry, raspy" edge to it like a flamenco guitar. I also really enjoy the very restrained looks -- a thin rosette, faded colors, and a folksy and welcoming vibe.

It has a September 1969 date stamp inside and it's branded Vidala in the soundhole, with reference to San Juan in Argentina and "made for Jose Morales M" -- which I'm supposing is the vendor? I can't track any of this down online and so I'm unfortunately in the dark about the maker.

Anyhow, it's built extremely light with fan bracing that almost feels like it's not there. The top and back are "domed over the bracing" by design a bit, but with age that's become extreme. The top is some sort of solid spruce or fir while the back and sides look like mahogany but have some grain stuff that reminds me of various central American rosewood-a-likes.

The neck is wide and has an ebonized rosewood fretboard and the headstock veneer has some great carving done to it in a style I see on older Spanish guitars and Brazilian guitars. The tuners are very curious, with neat little surrounds that wrap the gear on three sides.