Guillermo Del Pilar, Sr. – Spruce and CSA – 1970

Description

1970, Brooklyn, NY.  5 fan solid spruce soundboard, quartersawn CSA back and sides, 650 mm scale, 52 mm nut width, varnish finish, tuners appear to be Lanstorfer with genuine pearl buttons.  An immigrant from Puerto Rico, Guillermo Del Pilar “the Artist of Atlantic Avenue”, built guitars in Brooklyn, NY until he passed in 2000, then succeeded by his son, Guillermo, Jr.  Del Pilar was a contemporary of other post war luthiers in New York such as Manuel Velasquez and Nicholas  Ioannou. This instrument has had only one owner, and was originally acquired new from Del Pilar, Sr.  Lovely traditional workmanship by a master, evidenced by the use of quartersawn CSA rosewood, handmade rosette, and long graceful “stinger” extending down the neck from the back headstock overlay.  The neck angle and relief are fine, as is the soundboard shape around the bridge.  Plays easily.  Well cared for.  A smudge in the finish of the neck opposite the 2nd fret.  Del Pilar obviously had a great ear for sound, and produced a very musical instrument with a lovely round tone and plenty of projection.  All the benefits of these aged woods are present to the ear.  Not just a piece of history, but a great working guitar with many years of music yet to come.