Luthiers
Rene Baarslag
Rene Baarslag was born in Heerlen, Holland. He started playing classical guitar in his teens and it was the combination of his love for the classical music and the classical guitar that inspired him to go to Spain in the late 1970's.
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He apprenticed with Antonio Marin Montero in Grananda, as well as Robert Bouchet in Normand, France.
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Rene has been living and making classical/flamenco guitars for over 40 years in Granada. His wife Ana Espinoza is also a guitar maker. Both make guitars under their own label as well as under both their names when they collaborate making a guitar together.
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His guitar poses incredible tone, great dynamics, equilibrium, sustain, quick response, and sweet singing trebles.
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Antonio Raya Ferrer
Antonio Raya Ferrer was born in 1980, in Granada into a family of great guitar makers. His father is renowned luthier Antonio Raya Pardo and mother Pilar Ferrer, daughter of Eduardo Ferrer. His roots from his mother's side can be traced back to Benito Ferrer who made Andres Segovia's first guitar.
Antonio started learning his craft from his father in his midteens. He has been making classical and flamenco guitars under his name since the late 1990's.
Conde Atocha
The history of Conde Hermanos guitars began with Luthier Domingo Esteso establishing his workshop in 1915 in Madrid on Calle Gravina 7. He learned his craft from Manuel Ramirez of the famous Ramirez shop. In 1927, his nephews – Faustino, Mariano, and Julio – joined their uncle and learned the art of guitar making from the master. Domingo Esteso passed away in 1937 due to respiratory complications.
The Conde brothers (Faustino, Mariano, and Julio) continued making guitars under the name of Viuda y Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso and later on under Hermanos Conde Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso. As the business grew, in 1951 a new shop was opened in Calle Atocha 53 (Madrid) and [hence the name Conde Atocha] ran by Julio Conde. Faustino and Mariano continued making guitars until their death in 1987 and 1988 respectively. Mariano Sr.’s sons Felipe and Mariano Jr. who had started working at their fathers and uncle’s workshop since the mid 1970’s continued the tradition until 2010 when they split and established their own shops. They are making guitars under their own names (Felipe Conde, Mariano Conde).
Julio Conde remained at the Atocha shop until his death 1995. Since then, his daughter has been in charge of running the business. All the guitars are made with the finest wood selected over the years by Julio Conde.
Julio Conde
The history of Conde Hermanos guitars began with Luthier Domingo Esteso establishing his workshop in 1915 in Madrid on Calle Gravina 7. He learned his craft from Manuel Ramirez of the famous Ramirez shop. In 1927, his nephews – Faustino, Mariano, and Julio – joined their uncle and learned the art of guitar making from the master. Domingo Esteso passed away in 1937 due to respiratory complications.
The Conde brothers (Faustino, Mariano, and Julio) continued making guitars under the name of Viuda y Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso and later on under Hermanos Conde Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso. As the business grew, in 1951 a new shop was opened in Calle Atocha 53 (Madrid) and [hence the name Conde Atocha] ran by Julio Conde. Faustino and Mariano continued making guitars until their death in 1987 and 1988 respectively. Mariano Sr.’s sons Felipe and Mariano Jr. who had started working at their fathers and uncle’s workshop since the mid 1970’s continued the tradition until 2010 when they split and established their own shops. They are making guitars under their own names (Felipe Conde, Mariano Conde).
Julio Conde remained at the Atocha shop until his death 1995. Since then, his daughter has been in charge of running the business. All the guitars are made with the finest wood selected over the years by Julio Conde.
Fernando Moreno
Born in 1975 in Sevilla, Fernando Moreno became interested in making guitars while living and working in Granada. He met lots of musicians and guitarists in the Valeriano Bernal guitar shop in Granada. One of those musicians/guitarists who he met at the shop was Antonio Ariza, who inspired him to learn the art of making guitars.
He started his 2 years apprenticeship with the Manuel Diaz family workshop in Granada under close supervision of Victor Diaz. During this period he made 11 guitars and has kept the very first one for himself.
Fernando lives and makes flamenco & classical guitars in Alcala de Guadaira, Sevilla.
Eduardo Ferrer Duran
From a family with long tradition of guitar making from Grananda, Eduardo Ferrer makes both flamenco and classical guitars. An apprentice of Rafael Moreno Rodriguez (Grananda), he has been making guitars since 1980s.
His guitars embody amazing tone, volume, and sustain.
Francisco Barba
Considered one of the top luthiers in Spain, Francisco Barba (b. 1939) was born in Sevilla. He started out learning carpentry from his father, which helped him become a self taught luthier. Continuing with the tradition, his sons have learned the art of guitar making from their father and make the best flamenco guitars in the world.
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Barba guitars are known for possessing that deep profound flamenco sound, ease of play, incredible balanced sound, with beautiful bases with sweet singing trebles.
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There is a high demand for Barba guitars because of the high quality, as such, theres is a waiting list of 3 to 4 years.
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Barba guitars are played by likes of Rafael Riqueni, Manuel Franco, Nino de Pura, Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Diego del Morao, amongst other top flamenco guitarists.
Andres Marvi
Andrés Daniel Marvi, born in 1956. He started playing the guitar at a young age. After having finished his advanced studies, he gave lessons in several conservatories.
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Meanwhile he devoted himself to designing his handmade guitars with the aim of creating his own sound. In 1984 he took part in a guitar course in Zurich under the guidance of José Luis Romanillos.
He took an exam in guitar manufacturing in Erlangen in 1985. After many years of making guitars and always open to innovations, Marvi took part in a course to further his craft in 1992 once again with Romanillos in the city of Cordoba.
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Amongst some of the guitarists who play Marvi´s guitars is the „virtuoso“ Aniello Desiderio “Il Fenomeno“, a century guitarist. Also Graham Devine the 1st prize winner of the Alhambra International Guitar Competition 2002 and 1st prize winner Emilio Pujol Competition Italy 2002. The winner Goran Krivokapic of the Alhambra International Guitar Competition 2004.
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His permanent contact with the guitar world led him to the guitar festival of Liechtenstein (LiGiTa) in 1996. It was in Liechtenstein that he met the guitar dealer Norbert Giebel, who immediately recognised the extraordinary quality of the Marvi guitar. After exchanging their views, Marvi created a new model of concert guitar.
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The great Flamenco Guitarist Gerardo Núñez played and recorded his tutrial DVD on Marvi negrs. In addition his flamenco guitar is played by likes of Dani de Moron, Jose Luis Postigo, Rafael Riqueni, Pepe de Morao, and others.
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Since 1988 has lived in a small spanish village near the guitar metropolis of Granada.
Hermanos Sanchis
Brothers David and German Sanchis learned making guitars from their father, Ricardo Sanchis Carpio. The Sanchis family has been making guitars for over 100 years. It all began with luthier Ricardo Sanchis Nacher establishing his workshop in 1915, in Valencia.
The Sanchis guitars encompass 100 years of heritage and tradition where one encounters the true essence of the Spanish guitar.
Sanchis guitars are very popular and admired amongst flamenco guitarist because of their distinctive tone, depth and genuine flamenco sound.
Jose Gonzales Lopez
From the famous shop of Antonio Marin Montero in Granada, JoseGonzales Lopez learned making guitar under close supevision of the great Maestro Montero and Jose Marin Plazuelo. His guitars emulate the sound and quality of a true Granada guitar.
Pena Vargas
David Peña Vargas was born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. He grew up in Barrio de Santiago, one of the two very flamenco barrios in Jerez - (The other one being Barrio de San Miguel) – in a family of flamencos. As a guitarist, he accompanied famous flamencos over the years in his early teens. After attending classical guitar making workshops, he discovered his true passion.
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His guitars are played by great guitarists such as Diego del Morao, Pepe del Morao, Antonio Rey, Manuel Parrilla, Manuel Valencia, Niño Jero “El Periquin”, Nono Jero, Jose Quevedo “El Bolita”, Jose Galves, Juan Requena and many others. He has improved the sound and playability of his guitars over the years through feedback from all the aforementioned guitarists.
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His guitars posses everything a flamenco guitarist is looking for: power, volume, quick attack with a fast response, deep bases with bright trebles and a balanced flamenco sound. His guitars are ideal for accompanying singers, dancers, and solo performances.
