Santos Flamenco

Randy Reynolds (left) with Miguel Espinoza and a Reynolds Santos Flamenco guitar. Miguel played his German Vasquez Rubio guitar during the concert but was adventurous enough to play the Santos for his encore!

Santos Hernandez was present during the development of both Classical and Flamenco guitars in the early part of 20th century Spain. Andres Segovia played a 1912 Manuel Ramirez guitar made by Santos Hernandez for 25 years. In Spain, a "Santos" Flamenco guitar attained a level of mystique reserved for genius. I use a plantilla from a 1927 Santos Hernandez Flamenco as well as an authentic straight bracing pattern with an angled harmonic bar. This bar is open on the bass side only to the upper bout for the long bass brace. I use master grade seasoned Spanish Cypress and European Spruce which I import personally. The action is properly low and percussive. The sound is quick and with that special crystalline, brittle sound that only Cypress and Euro Spruce can yield.

Dale J Miller's Flamenco in Spanish Cypress and Englemann Spruce. Also available as a Classical design in The Dale J Miller Signature ModelÂ…..a luxurious sound.

This instrument is made with low jumbo frets, and an oiled low profile neck in Spanish Cedar or Port Orford Cedar, Flamenco sized "Spirit Path" rosette, traditional trims and French Polished. The guitar is available with a 1918 Santos peghead as well.

I do depart from tradition in the design of the back bracing. As can be seen in the pictures below, I use an "X" braced back with graphite as I believe that this makes the guitar somewhat louder and producing bigger trebles. Standard back bracing is available.

I also offer a Cypress classical, the Dale J Miller Signature Model. Please contact me for details

Click on thumbnails to expand:
Tim Bihm's Santos in Myrtle and European Spruce. Note the Spirit Path rosette and low traditional bridge.
Tim Bihm's Santos in Myrtle and European Spruce. Note the Spirit Path rosette and low traditional bridge.

 Santos may have been the first to stiffen up the treble side of the soundboard with this bracing design by angling the harmonic bar. Note the straight braces which may tend to reveal the character of individual strings somewhat more than conventional angled braces.
Santos may have been the first to stiffen up the treble side of the soundboard with this bracing design by angling the harmonic bar. Note the straight braces which may tend to reveal the character of individual strings somewhat more than conventional angled braces.
The traditional peghead as found on many Spanish guitars in the early part of the 20th century. This is an authentic 1918 Santos version with All Black Gilbert tuners and polished Ebony plate.

The traditional peghead as found on many Spanish guitars in the early part of the 20th century. This is an authentic 1918 Santos version with All Black Gilbert tuners and polished Ebony plate.

 Ok, We're not completely traditional! Here is a look at the "X" bracing I use on all my guitars. I believe that it returns a bit more power and seems to project the treble quality.

Ok, We're not completely traditional! Here is a look at the 'X' bracing I use on all my guitars. I believe that it returns a bit more power and seems to project the treble quality.

 The Santos with a highly figured Myrtle back called "the Eagle". Sorry this is the only set of wood I have ever seen with this type of figure. Normally I use Spanish Cypress for the Santos.

The Santos with a highly figured Myrtle back called 'the Eagle'. Sorry this is the only set of wood I have ever seen with this type of figure. Normally I use Spanish Cypress for the Santos.