This is a cinderella story. I got a call from a very nice person who knew little about guitars. " I have this old guitar, been in my family since it was new but nobody knows anything about it any more". I arrange to meet this fellow in, of all places, the parking lot at an In and Out burger! Out of an old beat up case he lifts this wonderful Miguel Rodriguez that has obviously been un-played for many years. The strings are old, it has a couple areas on the back where something left three marks in a line, and one tiny area where something almost punched a small hole in the back, but not quite. But like a diamond covered with dust, you could still sense that with a little care and some new strings a true gem was hidden beneath the years of dust.

I explained to him about Rodriguez guitars, and of course he was happy to hear about this. I took the guitar home and lightly cleaned the top, back and sides and put on a new set of strings, wondering what might unfold from this surprise. I was delighted when I tuned her up to hear bold firm basses and strong trebles, with that trade mark Rodriguez volume, and beautiful tone, it was as if she was just waiting to be awakened and appreciated. Wonderful guitar. There are no cracks and no repairs that I can detect, the guitar has some playing wear, but nothing offensive save for the back which has the aforementioned marks and one ding. The action is a little low for my taste, but I'll leave it like this and the owner can easily shim it or have a new saddle made to raise it they wish, but she plays easily and sounds wonderful as she is. I think I might, if it were my guitar, spend the $500 to have the back and sides French Polished a bit, I would leave the top alone, it is fine as is. The neck is straight as an arrow too.

The owner is aware of Rodriguez prices, but priced this to sell quickly, and if you have researched Rod prices you will agree this is a good value as well. A jewel and a nice 'find' .....

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