Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?

Subject: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: GUEST,c-flat
Date: 09 Feb 02 - 03:31 PM

I recently found a used steel strung dreadnought in a guitar shop in the U.K.(north-east).Although plain and unpolished with dead strings,I was not disappointed when,on being cleaned and restrung at home,the instrument in question sounded amazing.No flat spots,tremendous resonance and really comfortable.It carries the label of Manuel Rodriguez inside and the headstock logo but everybody Ive spoken to only knows this maker as a producer of "top end" classical/flamenco guitars.I would be interested to know if anyone has come across these guitars.I paid £300 but it plays like a LOT more.

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: 53
Date: 09 Feb 02 - 11:02 PM

I picked up a copy of Fender's Frontline 2002, and there's a whole article on Manuel Rodriguez classical guitars, but it doesn't mention dreadnoughts, so you might have yourself a collectors item.

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: GUEST,c-flat
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 04:21 AM

thanks 53,read the same publication myself.I would doubt that this is a collectors item as it is marked on the inside label"mod.dreadnought M1 No.00501" which suggests a production run.The Rodriguez company have a web site linked to Fender but make no mention of ever producing anything other than nylon stringers.

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: clansfolk
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 11:06 AM

Greeting - Ahhh the MR series -

I bought two from a local music shop - Cleveleys Nr. Blackpool Lancashire. One an acoustic dreadnaught and the other an electro acoustic dreadnaught about 6 years ago - I still have the acoustic version but let the semi go in exchange for an Ovation Longneck. Very nice guitars on a par with "real" Lowdens, for both looks and sound - all the guitars in that range were "Hand made" - to various degrees. If I remember right they were distrubuted by JHS (and maybe others) here in the UK.

Just looked out a leaflet on the MRs from my "File":-

The models on the list are M3JC, M1JC, M3DC, M1DC, M3J, M1J, M3D, M1D. varations J Jumbo, D Dreadnaught, 3 Solid Spruce top, 1 Solid Cedar Top, plus available with LR Baggs transducer and equalisers.

From the sounds of it the Model you have is the M1D details as follows......

M1D Dreadnaught Western
Top: Solid Cedar from Canada
Bridge: Indian Rosewood from India
Rosette: Brown, White inlay Wood
Purfling: White and Black on Top
Sides: Solid sides, Sapele from Africa
Back: Solid Back, Sapele from Africa
Finish: Matt Finish - 2 component German Polyester
Neck: Reinforced Cedar from Honduras
Fingerboard: Nut Width: 44mm, 14 frets Width: 55mm
Fretboard: Ebony from Africa
Scale length: 650mm
Frets: Silver plated
Tuning Machines: Gold plated
Hand Made: 60%
Number of frets: 20
Truss Rod: Single, adjustable at soundhole
Case: Deluxe Fibreglass Hardshell.

Can't remember the rrp but I think the M1D was in the region of £900.00 with case - this is the model I still have the other version I had was rrp £1300 but I did a very good deal with the owner of the shop who was also a mate and wanting to make space for new stock......!!!

The guitars were only made for a short period just after his son's had left the family business and set up a rival guitar firm! I would say no more than 3-4 years.

If you want anymore information I will see what I can fine out - they are VERY nice guitars and I could have sold mine many times over at a lot more than you paid!!

Enjoy,

Pete

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: GUEST,C-flat
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 01:59 PM

Thanks for the info Pete,I've only recently found this site and have been amazed at how helpful people are! Interestingly I also have compared this guitar to a Lowden or a Tremeleux which I believe is a close relative. Anyway it's nice to have my opinion re-enforced. Regards,C-flat.

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: 53
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 04:58 PM

I think that i'd like to have one of these.

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: clansfolk
Date: 11 Feb 02 - 05:29 AM

You can't have mine :-)

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: GUEST,clansfolk
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 08:15 PM

many years later.... on a trip out today I purchased a M1J (100% hand built) in excellent condition and with its case and original paperwork.. at a price I was happy with ;0) Spent all evening (rehearsal night) playing it - I'd forgotten what great guitars these are... keep your eyes open for these hidden treasures they are well worth adding to any collection....

Pete

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: GUEST,chris
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 04:14 PM

I have just got a Dreadnaught M3 any idea whats it worth,??

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Apr 12 - 04:53 PM

I've no idea what all that guitar-anorak stuff means, but "Manuel Rodriguez Dreadnought" would be a great name for an age-of-sail pirate-music band.

Subject: RE: Help: manuel rodriguez dreadnought?
From: GUEST,Martin
Date: 02 Jul 12 - 06:24 PM

Got one, the label says Mod C India Dreadnought, excellent tonal qualities, plays really well too. Anybody has got any info on it?