Flamenco Guitar Luthier Builder Maker

The Guitar Maker

In the early 1970’s I traveled to Spain for the first time to learn to play the flamenco guitar. During the two years that I lived in Andalusia and Majorca (faithfully practicing my "rasgueos"), I had the great fortune of being able to study the traditional Spanish method of guitar construction.

I have spent many years since then researching the designs and construction techniques of famous Spanish guitar makers - from Ramírez, Hernández, and Bernabé to Contreras, Romanillos, and Reyes. And even though I have great respect for the work of these master craftsmen, I was inspired, virtually from the beginning of my career as a guitar maker, to create my own concept of the flamenco guitar based on the use of exotic wood, and an integration of "old world" and "new world" techniques.

The type of instrument I had in mind needed to be a visual "work of art" but, just as importantly, it also had to be acoustically suited to the demands of the professional flamenco guitarist. This initial inspiration has been instrumental in the evolution of the fully- customized guitars (and the six individual models) that I currently construct.

One of the major challenges I face in the construction of every instrument is in the use of non-traditional wood. These unique and often rare materials must be prepared and assembled so that they work together to produce a sound that can still be characterized as "Flamenco".

To overcome this challenge I have implemented a number of design elements that I believe are unusual in a flamenco guitar. One of these innovations is based on a modified method of arching, lining and bracing the soundboard, sides and back - allowing me to more predictably customize the instrument’s sound when using woods like Maccasar ebony, Port Orford Cedar, Siam rosewood, koa, ziricoté and Malaysian blackwood.

These "new world" techniques have their place, but it is just as important that my guitars project a real sense of uniqueness that I believe can only come from personally handcrafting the instruments using traditional methods that often date back to the days of Torres. This includes the construction and inlay of my intricate "signature" rosette. More information about the guitars I build can be found on the Models page.

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