Antonio Raya Pardo

Antonio Raya Pardo is a renowned Spanish luthier from Granada, whose guitars reflect the rich tradition and craftsmanship of the Andalusian school. Born in 1950 in Huelma (Jaén), he began his career under Eduardo Ferrer and later José López Bellido, before opening his own workshop in 1973. Though he considers himself largely self-taught, his close friendship with Antonio Marín Montero and his place within the collaborative Granada guitar-making community have deeply influenced his work. Raya Pardo builds both classical and flamenco guitars, known for their refined sound, structural precision, and elegant balance. His instruments often follow the Marín–Bouchet system, combining the warmth of traditional Spanish tone with modern responsiveness. Today, he works alongside his son Antonio Raya Ferrer, continuing a family legacy that connects directly to Granada’s most storied lineages, including that of Eduardo Ferrer and Benito Ferrer, the founder of the Granada school.

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Antonio Raya Pardo – Guitar Maker

Early Life and Apprenticeship

Antonio Raya Pardo, born in 1950 in Huelva (Jaén), is one of the most respected figures of the Granada school of guitar making. At the age of fourteen, his family moved to Granada. Before dedicating himself to guitar making, he worked as a weaver. Like many of his contemporaries, he apprenticed with Eduardo Ferrer and later in 1972 with José López Bellido, where he learned the fundamentals of the craft before setting out on his own path.

Independence and Self-Taught Approach

In 1973, Antonio Raya Pardo opened his own workshop in Granada. Despite his training, he considers himself largely self-taught. He emphasizes that among Granada’s luthiers, “no one works entirely alone—there are always friends to help.” One such friend and mentor has been Antonio Marín Montero, from whom he received valuable advice that shaped his development as a craftsman.

Instruments and Family Tradition

Raya Pardo builds handmade classical and flamenco guitars of exceptional quality. His son, Antonio Raya Ferrer, apprenticed under him and now works independently under his own name. One of Raya Pardo’s notable creations is a Torres-inspired concert guitar built according to the Marin-Bouchet system, blending Spanish tradition with refined French influences.

Recognition and Legacy

Antonio Raya Pardo is the youngest of five living Spanish luthiers featured by James B. Summerfield in his list of the best classical guitar makers since the 1800s. He is also among the select few to whom Luis F. Leal Pinar dedicated an entire chapter in his book Guitarreros de Andalucía (2004), recognizing his artistic and cultural significance within the Spanish tradition.

Family Connections to Granada’s Guitar Heritage

Antonio Raya Ferrer (born 1980), the son of Antonio Raya Pardo, continues the family legacy as one of Granada’s leading guitar makers. Through his mother, Pilar Ferrer, he is also directly descended from the Ferrer family, one of Spain’s oldest guitar-making dynasties. His ancestor Benito Ferrer (1845–1925) founded the Granada school of luthiery and built the first guitar for Andrés Segovia. The Raya Pardo–Ferrer family thus represents a union of two of Granada’s most influential guitar-making lineages.