Wolfgang Jellinghaus in Memoriam (1951-2024)

It was with great sadness that our friend Edmund Blochinger informed us of the passing of Wolfgang Jellinghaus last week. Not only was Wolfgang a great colleague and collaborator but a dear friend. His tireless enthusiasm for developing his line of guitars, whether it be from sourcing non-traditional woods in his travels to central and south America, or in discovering the plans of a hitherto un-reproduced Torres guitar, were inspiring to all who knew him. His attention to detail and quality made his line of guitars one of the most popular we’ve ever carried. For many years I enjoyed the time I spent with him here at GSI, or at the various music fairs in Europe and the USA, and even as a guest in his home. Fortunately, the legacy of his professional life will continue as the successors of his business will carry on the good work that he established. But his friendship will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues for such an untimely loss.

- David Collett
President, GSI

Biography:

Wolfgang Jellinghaus was born in 1951 in Dortmund, Germany. His father, Walter Jellinghaus, was himself a guitar maker and naturally introduced the craft to Wolfgang at a young age. In 1978, Wolfgang began managing his family's retail music shop called Musik Jellinghaus GmbH and in 1983, he became involved in manufacturing and so created Martinez Guitars, designing their first line of guitars. In 2003, production of Martinez Guitars was moved to China with Wolfgang's assistance. In 2013, he sold Musik Jellinghaus GmbH, and set up an independent workshop in China, building guitars under the name "Milestones of Music", a small boutique traditional workshop that specialized in making high-quality guitars in the style of such great historical makers as Lacote, Torres, Hauser and Ramirez, among others. Wolfgang has since begun a new line of instruments under his name and with the collaboration of Edmund Blochinger refined many of his replicas as well as establishing the “La Canada” line of guitars.