Jose Marques - 2026 Lattice No. 127
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
Important: Additional costs such as import taxes and custom duties may occur when importing goods from the EU into your country.
Delivery times are typically reliable and most instruments arrive within the estimated timeframe.
Should any unexpected delay occur, our team will keep you informed and provide support at every step. For all shipping details and exceptions, please see our Shipping Policy.
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More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Born in Portugal, José Marques developed an early connection with both woodworking and music. After initially pursuing a career as a carpenter, he decided to dedicate himself to guitar making and began his training under the Portuguese luthier Daniel Luz. His first instruments were inspired by traditional Portuguese forms, including the guitarra portuguesa and the viola campaniça, before he gradually shifted his focus toward the classical guitar. Further professional experience in workshops across the United Kingdom allowed him to broaden his technical knowledge and refine his craftsmanship. He eventually established his own workshop in Cortiçois, Portugal, where he concentrates on contemporary classical guitar making. His work includes both lattice-braced and double-top instruments, combining meticulous construction with a particular emphasis on tonal consistency, projection, and playing comfort.
About the guitar
The José Marques 2026 No. 127 is an impressive example of contemporary Portuguese guitar making, combining a powerful modern sound with refined craftsmanship and excellent playability. Built with a cedar soundboard featuring lattice bracing and Indian rosewood back and sides, the instrument reflects Marques' approach to achieving outstanding acoustic performance through carefully considered construction. Its contemporary design is complemented by a comfortable armrest and an elevated fingerboard, contributing to both the instrument's elegant appearance and its practical playing characteristics. The beautifully executed lacquer finish and precise workmanship demonstrate the maker's meticulous attention to detail. Equipped with Kraken tuning machines, a 650 mm scale length, and a 51.5 mm nut width, this guitar brings together sophisticated construction and familiar classical proportions.
From the very first notes, this guitar impresses with its powerful projection and remarkably full-bodied tonal character. Its voice is distinctly modern, offering a beautiful combination of depth, warmth, and an abundance of rich overtones. The overall sound is dark and rounded, with a substantial presence that gives both individual notes and chords an impressive sense of fullness. Particularly captivating is the first string, which possesses an unusually thick and singing quality, avoiding the thinness or excessive brightness sometimes encountered in the upper register. This gives melodic passages a wonderfully rich and expressive character, allowing the trebles to remain full and substantial even in higher positions. Chords develop with considerable harmonic richness, while the instrument responds effortlessly to the player's touch, making it exceptionally inviting and enjoyable to play. Its combination of acoustic power, tonal warmth, rich harmonic complexity, and comfortable responsiveness creates a rewarding playing experience. With its refined construction and distinctive modern voice, this 2026 José Marques is an outstanding lattice-braced concert guitar that offers both impressive presence and expressive musical possibilities.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Guitars
How do I choose the right classical guitar for my level?
Choosing the right classical guitar depends on your playing level, musical goals, and budget. Beginners benefit from studio-model guitars from renowned workshops, while advanced players and professionals often choose a handmade master guitar. We are happy to advise you personally and can send detailed sound samples and videos on request.
What is the difference between a master guitar and a studio guitar?
Master guitars are built entirely by hand in the workshop of a single luthier, using only high-quality, well-aged tonewoods. Studio guitars are made in small series, often under the supervision of the master luthier, and offer excellent value for students and ambitious amateur players.
Can I try a classical guitar at home for 14 days?
Yes — every guitar you purchase from us comes with a 14-day home approval period. This complimentary trial applies worldwide to all orders, whether you are in Germany, Europe, the USA, Asia or anywhere else. We ship your instrument fully insured in a high-quality case so you can play it under your own acoustic conditions. If the guitar is not the right one for you, simply send it back and receive a full refund of the purchase price.
Can I try a classical guitar before purchasing?
Absolutely. You are warmly invited to visit our showroom in Karlsruhe, Germany, and test the instruments at your leisure. We are happy to schedule a personal appointment. If a visit is not possible, we send detailed videos and sound samples, and offer extensive consultation by phone or video call.
What payment methods and financing options do you offer?
We accept bank transfer, PayPal, major credit cards, and Klarna. For high-value instruments, we offer individual installment plans on request. Please contact us directly — we will find a suitable solution for every budget.
How do I properly care for my classical guitar?
A classical guitar requires constant humidity between 45 and 55 percent. Store the instrument in its case with a humidifier, avoid direct sunlight and large temperature fluctuations. Change the strings regularly and clean the guitar with a soft microfiber cloth.