Ariel Ameijenda (born 1963, Montevideo) is a second-generation Uruguayan classical guitar maker, son of Manuel Ameijenda and heir to a family tradition that began in 1954. He builds concert guitars, Torres copies and period instruments, and GSI has been his only dealer in the USA since 2014.
At a Glance
- Born: Montevideo, Uruguay, 1963
- Family tradition: his father Manuel Ameijenda began building in 1954 and opened his shop in 1957
- Lineage: Manuel learned from Juan Carlos Santurión, a pupil of Ignacio Fleta, and shared his shop with José López Cubillo of the José Ramírez II workshop
- Workshops: his own since 1997 (Montevideo); since 2014 near Piriápolis, and now also at Las Campanas in Lavalleja, where he builds most of his guitars lately
- Also builds: baroque guitars, vihuelas, lutes and theorbos
- Known at GSI for: his “70th Anniversary” guitars and his copies of the Antonio de Torres SE 81
How GSI Met Ariel Ameijenda
We discovered Ariel Ameijenda on a trip that David and JohnPaul took to South America in 2014. The GSI duo found some great gems in the area, some of which they brought back to the US, and while in Uruguay, they were most notably enthralled by the works of Ameijenda and the reputation that precedes him to this day. Find out more about guitar maker Ariel Ameijenda and his life with the classical guitar.
The Ameijenda Family: Madrid and Barcelona in Montevideo
Ariel Ameijenda was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1963 as the son of one of the country’s most famous guitar makers, Manuel Ameijenda. Ariel’s father had learned this difficult art of lutherie from Juan Carlos Santurión, and Santurión had studied at Fleta’s workshop in Barcelona, Spain, in the early 1950s.
The elder Ameijenda opened his own shop in 1957 and shared it for several years with José López Cubillo. Cubillo had been the lead craftsman at the workshop of José Ramírez II in Madrid, Spain. Consequently, in a short period of time, Ariel’s father had the opportunity to learn techniques from the two leading schools of guitar building in Spain, centered in the cities of Madrid and Barcelona.
Learning from Hauser, Simplicio and Santos
Ariel’s father also acquired a lot of knowledge while repairing guitars that were made by the world’s finest makers. Guitars by Hauser, Simplicio, Santos Hernández and many others flowed through the Ameijenda workshop for adjustments and maintenance, giving Ameijenda Sr. a close-up look at the work of the legendary masters.
As a child helping in his father’s workshop, Ariel learned the finest techniques used by world-class makers of classical guitars and Renaissance and Baroque string instruments. More importantly, the passion necessary for such pursuits came to him quite naturally and very early in life. At the age of 14, under his father’s guidance, Ariel progressed from helping with repairs to starting the construction of his very first instruments.
Musicology and His Own Workshop
When he was 19, Ariel entered university, where he studied Musicology. During those four years, he paid special attention to the subjects of Acoustics and Music History. These were very useful studies that have greatly influenced his approach to the construction of guitars and ancient instruments.
In 1997 Ariel opened his own workshop in Montevideo. He now sells guitars and period string instruments to players all over the world. His reputation widened considerably after showing his instruments at two events in the United States: the Alexandria Guitar Festival in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2007, and the New York Guitar Seminar in Manhattan in 2008. In 2014, he moved to the Cerro de los Burros near Piriápolis, on the east coast of Uruguay, to respond to his growing list of orders and fully commit to the construction of the finest guitars. Today he keeps two workshops: the one near Piriápolis and a second at Las Campanas in Lavalleja – a forest conservation project – where he has lately been doing most of his building.
70 Years of Ameijenda Guitars
2024 marked the 70th anniversary of Ameijenda guitars, counted from the first guitars Manuel built in 1954. To celebrate, Ariel has been building a series of “70th Anniversary” guitars from the choicest materials he has been saving – and alongside them, faithful copies of the Torres SE 81, a guitar rediscovered in Uruguay.
Ariel Ameijenda in Orfeo Magazine
Orfeo Magazine No. 23
Read the issue featuring Ariel Ameijenda.
Ariel Ameijenda Guitars at GSI
GSI is Ariel Ameijenda’s only dealer in the USA, and we are very proud to host his wonderful works. Many of them have passed through our doors since 2014. You’ll find guitars currently in stock by clicking the “Guitars In Stock” button in the header of this page as well as earlier examples in our Museum by clicking the “Guitars In Museum” button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ariel Ameijenda from?
He was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1963, the son of guitar maker Manuel Ameijenda.
Who trained Ariel Ameijenda?
His father, Manuel, starting when Ariel was 14. Manuel had learned from Juan Carlos Santurión, a pupil of Ignacio Fleta, and shared his shop with José López Cubillo of the José Ramírez II workshop.
What is the Ameijenda “70th Anniversary” guitar?
A series Ariel builds from his choicest materials to celebrate 70 years of Ameijenda guitars, which began with his father in 1954.
Where is Ariel Ameijenda’s workshop?
He has two in Uruguay: one at the Cerro de los Burros near Piriápolis, and one at Las Campanas in Lavalleja, where he has lately been building most of his guitars.
Does Ariel Ameijenda build Torres copies?
Yes – including copies of Torres SE 81, a guitar rediscovered in Uruguay.
