CONDITIONS

Cases

The prices do not include cases. These can be selected from the following companies and will be charged at the current price at the time of order:

• Manzano Cases (inexpensive and quite solid).
• Kingham Instrument Cases (more expensive, but of best quality)

Deposit requirements

For instruments with standard specifications, no deposit is required, as I trust my customers' commitment. However, for custom orders with unique features or intricate designs, a 20% deposit of the total cost is needed to reserve your place on the waiting list.

Payment

The balance is due upon completion and prior to delivery.

If you are not completely satisfied with the instrument, you can receive a full refund within two weeks of delivery, provided the instrument is returned in its original condition, undamaged and without blemishes.

VAT information

Prices are exclusive of the 21% Spanish VAT, which will be applied to customers within the EU. However, professionals with a valid EU VAT number and customers from outside the EU are exempt from this charge.

Collection & Shipping

The preferred method for receiving your new instrument is to collect it in person at the shop, allowing for any final adjustments to be made to your specifications. However, I understand this isn't always possible, so I can arrange to ship the instrument to you. As this is a complimentary service, I cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss during shipping (FOB terms apply). Any issues should be covered by the shipping company's insurance.

For clients seeking extra protection during shipping, I offer the option of crafting a custom wooden frame covered with thick cardboard. This special packaging almost entirely minimizes the risk of damage to the instrument during transit. Due to the time and effort required to craft it, the cost of this service is €185.

Conditions, Pricing & Warranty

Commitment to customer satisfaction

As a responsible builder committed to the utmost customer satisfaction, I strive to offer the most generous warranty possible. However, it is important to consider that early string instruments are more delicate and susceptible to problems than their modern counterparts. This is because they are lightly built (quite thin woods), a necessary characteristic to optimize their sound. Additionally, the construction of these instruments typically yields only a modest financial return, so it is essential to maintain a balance that ensures fair compensation for the maker while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Maintenance and Repair: Historical Perspective

Thomas Mace, in his book "Musick’s Monument," explains that these instruments, such as the lute, require regular maintenance and that some repairs will be necessary throughout their useful life. In Chapter IV, Mace details the most common problems and provides precise instructions for home repairs carried out by the instrument owner. The fact that Mace dedicates an entire chapter to the maintenance and repair of the lute (and by extension other antique plucked string instruments) demonstrates that even in his time, sporadic repairs and good maintenance were required to keep the instrument in good condition.

Factors Minimizing the Risk of Problems

There are two main factors that minimize the risk of problems: the builder's experience, which should strictly follow the construction guidelines of antique instruments, and the adherence to a series of maintenance guidelines by the owner. My instruments include a booklet with a detailed technical sheet of their characteristics, stringing, woods used, etc., as well as an extensive usage and maintenance guide. If these instructions are followed to the letter, the possibility of problems over time will be greatly minimized.

Warranty Policy

In the European Union, the legal warranty period is two years from the delivery of the instrument. However, to ensure customer satisfaction, I extend this warranty to three years. It is important to note that this warranty only covers defects inherent in the construction or quality of the materials, which I always select with great attention to their suitability. The warranty does not cover lack of maintenance, damage from bumps or accidents, negligence, or problems caused by inadequate humidity or temperature conditions.

Extended Warranty and Limitations

After the three-year limited warranty period, if the instrument has not presented problems, it will be considered that these are unrelated to the builder's work and use of materials. In exceptional cases, if a problem arises outside this warranty period and I or an expert builder of early plucked string instruments deem it caused by a construction defect or inadequate materials, I will proceed with the repair at no cost to the customer. This requires belief in the honesty and good intentions of the builder.

Cases Not Covered by the Extended Warranty

To be as clear and transparent as possible, I detail the situations in which this extended warranty beyond the initial three years will not apply, as they are not due to manufacturing defects but rather poor maintenance, customer negligence, or inherent characteristics of these instruments:

• Bridge detachment due to inadequate environmental humidity. If a bridge does not come off after this three-year period, it is evident that its gluing was done correctly.

• Loose bars: These are also consquence of inadecuate climate conditions or little bumbs on the soundboard.

• Problems with pegs due to lack of maintenance.

• String action: The height of the strings above the fingerboard can increase due to the tension exerted by the strings on the instrument. It is important to note that the tension in these instruments (due to the double courses) is very high. This can range between 32 kg in the case of a vihuela or a 6-course lute, and up to 88 kg in an archlute with double diapasons (open bass strings). It is understandable that this high tension causes wear over time, so it should be adjusted at least once during the instrument's life to ensure ease of play.

• Cracks in the soundboard. These cracks are always caused by too low humidity.

• Superficial cracks in the neck veneer. This is especially common in ebony veneers and is due to too low humidity.

• Cracks in the ribs forming the body of lutes or the sides and back of vihuelas and guitars. Although rare, this is also due to too low humidity.

• This extended warranty will only be granted to the original purchaser of the instrument.

Track Record and Reliability

I am proud that, over many years of my career as a builder, my instruments have presented very few problems, and practically all have been due to issues or negligence in their maintenance, mainly inadequate humidity and temperature conditions.

LEAD TIMES AND WAITING LIST

The typical waiting list ranges from 2 to 4 years. Upon confirming an order and being added to the waiting list, the customer will receive an approximate estimated delivery date.

As this is a small, one-person workshop where the quality of each instrument is prioritized over quantity, various work-related and personal circumstances can affect delivery times. Only larger companies with numerous employees and automated processes can offer more precise delivery estimates.

While this may initially seem like an inconvenience, it actually provides an added guarantee of quality. By working patiently, without the pressure to meet strict deadlines, I can ensure that each instrument is a unique piece with exceptional sound and craftsmanship.

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PRICE-LIST 2024