David Collett, president of GSI, just visited Spain to meet and spend time with many of the exceptional luthiers we work with. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to visit everyone, but at least he was able to bring back hundreds of excellent photographs of the trip. We’ve cherry-picked some of ours favorites below.
David at the grave of Daniel Fortea, in Castellon. Thanks to his tutelage under the Romero family (whose patriarch Celedonio learned from Fortea), David can trace his “guitar playing lineage” directly back to Fortea……as well as Francisco Tarrega, who taught Daniel Fortea. Here’s David kneeling at Tarrega’s grave, also in Castellon.The view from one of the hotels in Alicante. Not bad!A memorial to Antonio de Torres, in his hometown of Almeria. The lion’s head up top represents the famous 1856 “La Leona” guitar.Standing in front of the Torres memorial fountain in the Plaza Antonio Torres.A close-up of the plaque.The two metal hands hold woodworking tools.Standing under the Plaza Antonio Torres sign.The original home and workshop of Antonio de Torres.Torres’ home is now a museum, restored by the local Antonio de Torres school.The entrance to the Torres home.In Granada, guitar maker Jose Vigil shows off his latest creation. David was so impressed by Vigil’s work that he ordered a guitar on the spot.David and Jose Vigil, standing in front of his workshop.David with Paco Santiago Marin and his son Luis, as well as professional guitarist Vicente Coves.David and Eddie Blochinger visit one of the most famous luthiers in Granada, the ever-charming Antonio Marin Montero, and his nephew Jose Marin Plazuelo.David and Eddie Blochinger walking the streets of Granada.Another Granada legend, luthier Rafael Moreno Rodriguez, holding the next GSI guitar.David and Rafa having a great time in the Moreno workshop.Rafa posing in front of his portrait, wearing his signature cap.The exterior of the Moreno workshop.Luthier Juan Fernandez, holding his latest flamenco negra guitar.The entrance to the Juan Fernandez guitar workshop.Luthier Fernando Moreno traveled to Granada from Sevilla to meet David. Another great maker discovered on this trip.Juan Miguel Carmona with his latest work-in-progress.Juan Carmona’s wife Angela and an assortment of her traditional tapas.Juan Miguel Carmona, Vicente Coves and Eddie Blochinger gather for drinks near the Alhambra.German guitar maker Dominik Wurth (one of the many ex-pats living and working in Granada) showing David his replica of the FE17 Torres guitar.David, Carmona and Blochinger hanging out in the scenic Albaicin district of Granada, complete with the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.Eddie Blochinger in front of the famous Peña La Plateria flamenco bar.You don’t have to be at a bar to hear flamenco in Spain – it’s absolutely everywhere.Juan Miguel Carmona and Vicente Coves enjoying a few drinks to go with the local flamenco music.This guy was playing the classics – Tarrega, Sor, etc – all while standing up.
