Pimentel Acoustic Guitar (30 Years Old!) Model #001

by Jenny
(Albuquerque, NM, USA)

I have a Pimentel acoustic guitar made in December 1980, Model #001. The maker of this guitar, Lorenzo Pimentel, sadly passed away last month.

The guitars sold at his shop, currently run by his sons (guitar instructor extraordinaire Hector, along with store manager & brother, Rick), range in price from $1,200 to $15,000 (and above for custom models). They also offer hardshell cases for $189.

Pimentel guitars are very well-known for their handmade quality, for which the Pimentel "Sunrise" recently became New Mexico's state guitar.

Known & respected worldwide, Pimentel & Sons have won countless regional & national awards and are honored by their display in the Smithsonian Institution (for more about this & other stories, and for more information about their guitars, please see their website at www.pimentelguitars.com).

The guitar I have for sale is a 30-year-old antique in excellent condition, and the like-new hardshell case with lock & plush-gold interior (including storage compartment) will be included.

Also included is a small (twice the size of a business card), folded, glossy card signed by Hector Pimentel, Lorenzo Pimentel's son, guitar instructor extraordinaire & well-known musician & instructor.

In addition, I am offering for the buyer 2 complete & brand-new sets of six strings per package. I have pictures of my guitar on my PC, and I am hoping to get an appraisal of it's value.

Although Pimentel's Model M-1 (I have not seen one so do not know whether it is as good as the Model #001 that I am offering, which was made 30 years ago) currently sells for $1,200 (approx. $1,400 with hardshell case).

I wonder what my 30-year-old guitar (along with case, strings, & Autograph) may be worth today. I am hoping for an unofficial appraisal with the opportunity to purchase an official one (from the proceeds of the sale, to be offered to the buyer as part of the sale package).

Thank you very much for your expert opinion as well as for your time.

ANSWER

Hi, Jenny--

Blue Book info:

Instruments currently built in Albuquerque, NM since 1951.
Luthier Lorenzo Pimentel, originally born in Durango, Mexico, learned guitar making from his older brothers. Though trained as a baker, Pimentel moved to El Paso, Texas in 1948 to work for master violin maker Nagoles. In 1951, Pimentel started his own company building classical guitars. In 1953, he moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico and then in 1963 moved to a permanent home in Albuquerque New Mexico where Lorenzo (Pimentel and his wife Josefina Founders) still reside. The company Pimentel & Sons consists of all family members including Lorenzo and his sons Rick Pimentel, Robert Pimentel, Victor Pimentel, and Agustin Pimentel, who are all Master Luthiers, and Hector Pimentel and Gustavo Pimentel who are the musicians of the family. In the late 1970s, the company started building acoustic steel string guitars and to date there is a waiting period up to four years to get the best of their acoustics. In 2003, they designed a Variation of a guitar called the Acoustic and classical Electric Jazz Fussion guitars.
Currenty, Lorenzo Pimentel and his sons handcraft about thirty guitars a month. List prices start at $1,200 depending on the model and woods used in the construction, and can go up to over $15,000 for some Brazillian rosewood work. In 2009, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson signed a bill to make an acoustic steel string Pimentel guitar called The New Mexico Sunrise the State guitar of New Mexico.

The Blue Book does not list prices for these guitars. Here is the contact info:

3316 Lafayette Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
www.pimentelguitars.com
info@pimentelguitars.com
505-884-1669 (phone)

Since you are wanting to sell the guitar, I am posting this so that prospective buyers may view.

Lynne