In Memoriam - Manuel Contreras II

The guitar world lost a dear friend and great guitar maker this week with the passing of Manuel Contreras II – known to everyone as Pablo. Our condolences go out to his family and friends and the extended family of guitarists who loved him.

Though I had been acquainted with Pablo for many years, it wasn’t until this past May that I really got to know him a bit when I sat down to do some interviews and hang out with him at his shop in Madrid. I was struck by his sense of humor, his honesty and his conviction in all things guitar. It was my last day in Madrid and I remember wishing I could stay another day or two to take him up on his offer to go get a drink after the shop closed.