Manuel Galban, Cuban guitarist, has died at age 80.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 9 Jul 2011 9:39 am

His record with Ry Cooder, Mambo Sinuendo, is a fine late career tribute. He also did great work in the '60's with the cuban doo wop/latin pop band Los Zafiros (The Saphires).

Joshua Grange · Post by **Joshua Grange** » 11 Jul 2011 2:21 pm

Oh no! Sadness. He was amazing. There's a great documentary about Los Zafiros that showcases him as a man and as a player.
What a life!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Jul 2011 11:10 am

Los Zafiros had a unique sound ... cuban pop, doo wop, early rock, salsa, bossa nova, traditional cuban .... all melded together.

I first heard them on this great CD:

http://www.amazon.com/Bossa-Cubana-Zafi ... 011&sr=8-2

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 16 Jul 2011 8:16 pm

Andy-Ry was proud of the Mambo Sinuendo recording that he did with Manuel and he sent me a copy of the
CD-some very cool music there.Galban had a very twangy sound with lots of reverb on his Tele.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 17 Jul 2011 3:15 am

In his GP cover story when the record came out Ry called your Bigsby re-build one of his most prized possession, Paul.

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 17 Jul 2011 8:28 pm

Andy-Yes I do recall that-Ry uses that guitar on the Mambo Sinuendo CD-I'm proud that he has one of the
(nine) P.A. Re-Issues that Dave Peterson and I built.
They were new production from original old and newly recast parts (so they were not what I would call a
re-build). I'm also happy about the great work that
Todd Clinesmith has done in continuance of steel guitar building in the Bigsby tradition.