Pepe Romero

Pepe Romero Jr. is a renowned American luthier who carries forward one of the most respected legacies in Spanish guitar making. Born into the famous Romero family, he grew up surrounded by historic instruments crafted by masters such as Torres, Esteso, Santos Hernández, Hauser, and Miguel Rodríguez, which deeply shaped his sense of tone and craftsmanship. His journey as a builder began at eighteen in Dake Traphagen’s workshop, followed by mentorships with J.L. Romanillos, Manuel Contreras II, Yuris Zeltins, and Edmund Blöchinger. Influenced particularly by the guitars of Miguel Rodríguez, Romero builds entirely by hand in the traditional Spanish method, creating instruments admired for their warmth, clarity, and expressive power. In addition to his classical guitars, he founded Romero Creations in 2012, producing fine ukuleles and small guitars that merge artistry, innovation, and the soulful sound of the classical tradition.

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Pepe Romero Jr. – Guitar Maker

Born into a Guitar Legacy

Pepe Romero Jr. was born into a family where the Spanish guitar is not just played, but lived. From a young age, he was surrounded by extraordinary instruments from his father’s collection, including guitars by Torres, Esteso, Santos Hernandez, Hauser, and Miguel Rodriguez. These instruments set the standard for what a guitar should be and deeply influenced his understanding of sound and craftsmanship.

Early Training and Influences

At the age of 18, Pepe built his first guitar under the guidance of Dake Traphagen. The experience solidified his decision to pursue guitar making as a lifelong profession. In 1997, he had the privilege of spending time in the workshop of Miguel Rodriguez shortly before the master’s passing. He later studied and received mentorship from J.L. Romanillos, Manuel Contreras II, Yuris Zeltins, and Edmund Blöchinger, who helped shape his craftsmanship and artistic perspective.

Stylistic Inspiration

Pepe Romero Jr. draws heavily from the Rodriguez school of guitar making, adopting and refining their construction techniques. He is equally inspired by the elegance and sonic beauty of guitars made by Santos Hernandez and Domingo Esteso, blending their visual and tonal ideals into his own creations.

Handcrafted Guitars

As of fall 2018, Pepe Romero Jr. had built more than 301 guitars, each handcrafted using the traditional Spanish method. His guitars are highly sought after by classical guitarists and collectors around the world for their exceptional tone, responsiveness, and aesthetic beauty.

Romero Creations

During a family trip to Hawaii in 2010, Pepe fell in love with the sound of the ukulele. Applying his classical guitar-building techniques, he began creating ukuleles that combined the warmth and resonance of a guitar with the charm of the Hawaiian instrument. In 2012, he founded Romero Creations, a high-end instrument company dedicated to producing beautifully crafted guitars and ukuleles designed to inspire musicians and last a lifetime.