Sold

David "José" Rubio - Lute 1981

This guitar is sold – but we may have something similar.

Our experts know every guitar in the house and are happy to advise you personally.

Ask about similar guitars

Overview

David „José” Rubio is one of the most famous guitar makers worldwide. After having moved to Sevilla and then to Madrid, to learn flamenco guitar performance, he developed a strong interest for guitar making. It was in New York, USA, after having moved to attend high school there in 1961, that he opened his first own workshop in 1963. His first meeting with Julian Bream happened a few month later and was the starting point of a close friendship. Julian Bream played several of Rubio’s guitar, noticeably a 1966 instrument on which he recorded “Julian Bream and his Friends” (1968). From 1967 on, D. J. Rubio moved back to England. He stayed until 1969 in Julian Bream’s house in Semley before opening a workshop near Oxford in 1969.
Not only did he build guitars, but also lutes, vihuelas, theorboes, harpsichords, violas da gamba, baroque guitars, etc. Julian Bream played a 1967 D. J. Rubio lute that appears on four of his albums throughout the 1970s, noticeably on the album: “The Lute Music of John Dowland” (1976). David “José” Rubio eventually moved his workshop to Cambridge in the 1980s.

This 8 courses lute is a gorgeous example of David José Rubio’s high-quality workmanship. It is generously decorated with fine marquetry inlays on the head and the neck. This instrument was built based on the model of Bream’s 1967 8 courses lute, featuring the two first two strings as single-strings, the inlaid frets and the elevated first-string peg. This lute is in excellent condition, no cracks nor repairs have occurred. This lute only has some handling wear on the top of the head and some imperceptible playing marks on the top. It is a rare opportunity to see a lute made by this great English master and an even bigger event to have the chance to approach such a gorgeously decorated instrument made on the model of Julian Bream’s one.

Luthier: David "José" Rubio
Construction year: 1981
Top: Spruce
Back and sides: Maple
Scale: 630 mm
Nut: 83 mm
View full details

While this guitar is sold, these are ready for you

  • Classical Guitars

    The classical guitar, with its soft nylon strings and characteristic timbre, has become a symbol of chamber music, Spanish tradition, and concert repertoire. Its modern form was shaped by Antonio de Torres in the 19th century, setting the standard for the body, fan bracing, and the 65-centimeter scale length that are still used today. Instruments in this category open up a rich palette from the refined Romantic miniatures of Tárrega to the majestic concertos of Rodrigo. Here you will find guitars that preserve historical continuity and at the same time inspire new interpretations.
    Look all products of the collection
  • Luthier: Vicente Carrillo
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Body Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp / A
    Weight (g): 1670
    Tuner: Aparicio
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Vicente Carrillo
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Body Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp / A
    Weight (g): 1845
    Tuner: Aparicio
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Gary Southwell
    Construction Year: 2008
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Flamed Maple
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: D / D sharp
    Weight (g): 1560
    Tuner: Rodgers
    Condition: Very good
  • Luthier: Vicente Carrillo
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Body Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp / A
    Weight (g): 1760
    Tuner: Aparicio
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Vicente Carrillo
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Double-Top Guitars
    Top: Cedar
    Back and Sides: Madagascar rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Body Finish: Nitrocellulose
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp / A
    Weight (g): 1680
    Tuner: Aparicio
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Gary Southwell
    Construction Year: 2024
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: E / F
    Weight (g): 1300
    Tuner: Rodgers
    Condition: Excellent
  • Luthier: Tobias Braun
    Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Satinwood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: F sharp
    Weight (g): 1555
    Tuner: Rubner
    Condition: New
  • Luthier: Andreas Kirschner
    Construction Year: 2020
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Indian rosewood
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: G
    Weight (g): 1490
    Tuner: Klaus Scheller
    Condition: Excellent
  • Luthier: William Alama
    Construction Year: 2025
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Flamed Maple
    Soundboard Finish: Lacquer
    Body Finish: Lacquer
    Air Body Frequency: G
    Weight (g): 1570
    Tuner: Aparicio
    Condition: Excellent
  • Construction Year: 2026
    Construction Type: Traditional
    Top: Spruce
    Back and Sides: Birdseye Maple
    Soundboard Finish: French polish
    Body Finish: French polish
    Air Body Frequency: G sharp
    Weight (g): 1385
    Tuner: Schaller
    Condition: New

Related guitars

Join the Siccas Guitars Inner Circle

Receive early updates on newly arrived guitars, rare instruments, and selected special offers.