Taurus Guitarras Luitherie

photowriters · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Kansas City

I have a Taurus guitar that I purchased in Barcelona in 1967. The label says "Made in Spain Taurus Guitarras Lutherie Barcelona-12 Paseo del Monte 26." There are two inked numbers “60” and “1966” that I assume mean that either it was the 60th made during the 1966 production year or it is a model 60 made in 1966.

When I went to the music shop in Barcelona to look for an instrument, I did not see/test anything that pleased me, and told the owner so. He took me up stairs where he had his “special guitars,” and that is where I found the guitar. I paid $165 for it including a fur like -lined hard case.

I have tried find out more information about the guitar, but have not been very successful. The Flamenco playing owner of the local guitar studio here in Kansas City says that it resembles a Ramirez student guitar of the same vintage, and many of the Ramirez student guitar at that time were made by other luthiers and marketed under the Ramirez name. I have searched the Internet several times without success. Today, however, I found a commercial site that confirms the proprietor.

The web site says that Antonio Picado Berga, a guitar maker in Barcelona, worked in the “Taurus” workshop from 1968 to 1982 and that many Ramirez student guitars were made by the Taurus workshop during that time. Ramirez student guitars from that time currently sell for $1,000 to $2,000. The new Berga models are listed from $900 to $4,000.

I know that the guitar still has an excellent tone if a little worse for wear after 30 years of being hauled all over the US and on seven major deployments with the U.S. Navy, and that is all I know about Taurus Guitarras. However, I would like to know more. For example what would it cost to replace it? Does the Taurus workshop still exist? What sort of reputation to the instruments have? Etc.

Any information that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

rebabevets · Joined: 03 Mar 2005 Posts: 2

http://www.guitarraspicado.com/

lowblow · Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

hi bob,
a quite late answer, do you still have this taurus guitar, if yes, can you send some pics to my e-mail-adress:
rletonja@yahoo.com or leton53@bluewin.ch
i just bought one for nothing (100 sfr= 80$) on a fleamarket, a 9.5/10 instrument wich i d'like to trade with a martin 00-18 or a duolian national.
i'll be enjoyed to hear from you
robert

Dennis Bertram · Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

I have also wondered about the Taurus guitars. I bought one in Tossa, Spain in 1975. Very fine wood grain, black body, and plays quite nice. I paid $150 for it. It has been a joy ever since. It was made in 1974 and has the number 50 on its label. Had the bridge fixed once and the fellow who fixed it was quite impressed by the instrument.

wyeknot123 · Joined: 16 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

Is this subject still of interest? - if so, I have a Taurus guitar No52 of 1977 which I bought new in Bristol (UK) in '78 in the original hard black case and used it for only a few months before having to give up due to presure of work, since when it has rested quietly in it's case and has developed a beautiful tone. It is as new and was examined by a leading teacher in this area and described as in beautiful, virtually new, condition and fit for the concert platform. I am about to put it up for sale through Classical Guitar Magazine and, if unsuccessful, via top end auction house in Bristol or eBay uk. Photos available if anyone interested.

Barry · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Oklahoma

I just gave my oldest son a 1970 Jose Ramirez I bought used over 22 years ago and I think I have just found out (I send pitures to a distributor of Ramirez guitars) that it was probably made for Ramirez at the Taurus shop, although the label inside says Madrid. I would post pictures of it here if someone could tell me how to do that. It looks like Rosewood sides and back but I can't really tell

Barry · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Oklahoma

I just gave my oldest son a 1970 Jose Ramirez I bought used over 22 years ago and I think I have just found out (I send pitures to a distributor of Ramirez guitars) that it was probably made for Ramirez at the Taurus shop, although the label inside says Madrid. I would post pictures of it here if someone could tell me how to do that. It looks like Rosewood sides and back but I can't really tell

carel · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 1 Location: Netherlands

Hi there,

I was born in Spain, Barcelona, and my dad bought me a Taurus 1979 with number 52. My guitar teacher was also professor at the Conservatorium and he told my dad which guitar to buy. At the time I was 13 years of age and the guitar is EXCELLENT. As far as I know it is indeed also sold as a Ramirez. In Spain Taurus is a boutique guitar bought by the real spaniards who what a GOOD guitar both for student use as for recitals.

the sound is great. I advice not to use high tension strings since traditionally spanish music uses medium to low tension.

greating from holland

carel

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