The Granada school of guitar making is a family affair as much as a regional one, and Paco Santiago Marín (born 1946) is one of its most respected names. Trained in the workshop of his uncle, he has built concert guitars prized for their projection and balance for more than half a century.
From cabinet-making to guitars
Santiago Marín was born in Granada in 1946. His father, a cabinet maker, taught him to work fine wood, and he was already at the bench by the age of twelve. In 1963 he joined the workshop of his uncle, the great Antonio Marín Montero, and spent nearly a decade there completing the journey from cabinet maker to full luthier before opening his own workshop in 1973.
The Granada sound, always evolving
For Santiago Marín, the foundation of the Granada school is the work of Antonio de Torres — but he has never stopped investigating and refining how that ideal is built. His guitars are admired for their strong projection, even balance and rich tonal colour, the qualities a concert player needs to fill a hall.
Chosen by the finest
The musicians who play his instruments tell the story: among them are the celebrated soloist Ricardo Gallén and the composer-guitarist Leo Brouwer, alongside Manuel González and Iliana Matos. To build for players of that calibre, decade after decade, is the surest mark of a master.
FAQ
Who is Paco Santiago Marín?
A Spanish luthier born in Granada in 1946, one of the most sought-after makers of the Granada school.
Who did he train with?
His uncle, the great Granada maker Antonio Marín Montero, in whose workshop he learned from 1963.
Who plays his guitars?
Artists including Ricardo Gallén and Leo Brouwer.
