Luthiers from Around the World

The modern French name for luthier goes back to lute making. In the German-speaking world, the makers of stringed instruments were called violin makers, as violin was the generic term for various stringed instruments. However, violin makers also occasionally made plucked instruments such as lutes, mandolins, harps, guitars and hurdy-gurdies. Clear demarcations between the instrument makers were created later and regionally by professional associations. The craft of luthiers is usually divided into two main categories: Makers of stringed instruments that are plucked or bowed, and makers of stringed instruments that are bowed. Since stringed instruments require a bow, there is a sub-type in the second category known as a bow maker or archetier. Two important luthiers of the early 19th century who are associated with the development of the modern classical guitar are Louis Panormo and Georg Staufer. Antonio Torres Jurado is credited with developing the shape of the classical guitar that is still in use today. Christian Frederick Martin from Germany developed a form that evolved into the modern steel-stringed acoustic guitar.

Johan Sarens: Belgian Luthier and Master of the Classical Guitar

Johan Sarens: Belgian Luthier and Master of the...

Johan Sarens is one of Belgium's most respected classical guitar makers, working from his atelier in Mechelen with a philosophy rooted equally in musical sensitivity and the exacting craft of...

Johan Sarens: Belgian Luthier and Master of the...

Johan Sarens is one of Belgium's most respected classical guitar makers, working from his atelier in Mechelen with a philosophy rooted equally in musical sensitivity and the exacting craft of...

Yan Lei: Chinese Luthier and Double-Top Innovator

Yan Lei: Chinese Luthier and Double-Top Innovator

Yan Lei is one of the most compelling voices to emerge from China's growing classical guitar-making scene. Based in Tianjin, he has built a reputation in a remarkably short time...

Yan Lei: Chinese Luthier and Double-Top Innovator

Yan Lei is one of the most compelling voices to emerge from China's growing classical guitar-making scene. Based in Tianjin, he has built a reputation in a remarkably short time...

Manuel Ramírez: The Luthier Who Shaped Modern Guitar

Manuel Ramírez: The Luthier Who Shaped Modern G...

Few figures in the history of the classical guitar carry the weight that Manuel Ramírez (1864–1916) does. Born in Alhama de Aragón, Spain, he rose from apprentice in his brother's...

Manuel Ramírez: The Luthier Who Shaped Modern G...

Few figures in the history of the classical guitar carry the weight that Manuel Ramírez (1864–1916) does. Born in Alhama de Aragón, Spain, he rose from apprentice in his brother's...

Alessandro Perciaccante – Italian Luthier of the Granada School

Alessandro Perciaccante – Italian Luthier of th...

Alessandro Perciaccante – Italian Luthier of the Granada School Alessandro Perciaccante is one of the most compelling young voices in contemporary classical guitar making — an Italian craftsman who relocated...

Alessandro Perciaccante – Italian Luthier of th...

Alessandro Perciaccante – Italian Luthier of the Granada School Alessandro Perciaccante is one of the most compelling young voices in contemporary classical guitar making — an Italian craftsman who relocated...

Fabio Zontini – Master of Historical Guitar Making

Fabio Zontini – Master of Historical Guitar Making

Fabio Zontini – Master of Historical Guitar Making Among the most thoughtful voices in contemporary Italian lutherie, Fabio Zontini has spent more than three decades building classical guitars that speak...

Fabio Zontini – Master of Historical Guitar Making

Fabio Zontini – Master of Historical Guitar Making Among the most thoughtful voices in contemporary Italian lutherie, Fabio Zontini has spent more than three decades building classical guitars that speak...

Masaru Kohno and Sakurai Kohno – Japan's Greatest Classical Guitar Dynasty

Masaru Kohno and Sakurai Kohno – Japan's Greate...

Masaru Kohno and Sakurai Kohno – Japan's Greatest Classical Guitar Dynasty When Masaru Kohno walked into the workshop of Arcángel Fernández in Madrid in 1959, he could not speak a...

Masaru Kohno and Sakurai Kohno – Japan's Greate...

Masaru Kohno and Sakurai Kohno – Japan's Greatest Classical Guitar Dynasty When Masaru Kohno walked into the workshop of Arcángel Fernández in Madrid in 1959, he could not speak a...

Tan Tan: Chinese Master Luthier and the Hardcore Master Workshop

Tan Tan: Chinese Master Luthier and the Hardcor...

Among the most compelling voices in contemporary classical guitar making, Tan Tan stands out as a builder whose instruments have earned serious attention from players and collectors well beyond his...

Tan Tan: Chinese Master Luthier and the Hardcor...

Among the most compelling voices in contemporary classical guitar making, Tan Tan stands out as a builder whose instruments have earned serious attention from players and collectors well beyond his...

Pete Beer – Scottish Luthier and Pioneer of Sustainable Guitar Making

Pete Beer – Scottish Luthier and Pioneer of Sus...

Pete Beer – Scottish Luthier and Pioneer of Sustainable Guitar Making Pete Beer is one of Britain's most distinctive voices in contemporary classical guitar making — a craftsman who combines...

Pete Beer – Scottish Luthier and Pioneer of Sus...

Pete Beer – Scottish Luthier and Pioneer of Sustainable Guitar Making Pete Beer is one of Britain's most distinctive voices in contemporary classical guitar making — a craftsman who combines...

Kristof Meeus – Belgian Luthier Bridging Tradition and Innovation

Kristof Meeus – Belgian Luthier Bridging Tradit...

Kristof Meeus is one of the most quietly compelling figures in contemporary classical guitar making. Working from his workshop in Moortsele, in the East Flemish heartland of Belgium, he builds...

Kristof Meeus – Belgian Luthier Bridging Tradit...

Kristof Meeus is one of the most quietly compelling figures in contemporary classical guitar making. Working from his workshop in Moortsele, in the East Flemish heartland of Belgium, he builds...

John Ray: The Canadian Voice of the Granada Guitar Tradition

John Ray: The Canadian Voice of the Granada Gui...

John Ray is one of the most compelling stories in contemporary classical guitar making — a Canadian from Edmonton, Alberta, who crossed the Atlantic in 1989 with little more than...

John Ray: The Canadian Voice of the Granada Gui...

John Ray is one of the most compelling stories in contemporary classical guitar making — a Canadian from Edmonton, Alberta, who crossed the Atlantic in 1989 with little more than...

Andreas Madimenos: Greek Luthier Building Concert Guitars for the World Stage

Andreas Madimenos: Greek Luthier Building Conce...

Among the generation of contemporary luthiers reshaping the concert guitar landscape, Andreas Madimenos stands out as one of the most compelling voices to emerge from southern Europe. Born in Athens...

Andreas Madimenos: Greek Luthier Building Conce...

Among the generation of contemporary luthiers reshaping the concert guitar landscape, Andreas Madimenos stands out as one of the most compelling voices to emerge from southern Europe. Born in Athens...

Enrique García: Founder of the Barcelona School of Guitar Making

Enrique García: Founder of the Barcelona School...

Enrique García (1868–1922) stands among the most consequential figures in the entire history of classical guitar making. Born in Madrid, trained under the most influential workshop of his era, and...

Enrique García: Founder of the Barcelona School...

Enrique García (1868–1922) stands among the most consequential figures in the entire history of classical guitar making. Born in Madrid, trained under the most influential workshop of his era, and...

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