Manuel Contreras is one of Madrid’s great guitar-making names: a workshop founded in 1962 by Manuel Contreras Sr. (1928–1994), a former apprentice of José Ramírez III, carried on by his son Manuel Contreras II, known as “Pablo” (1957–2011), and today directed by Victoria Velasco. Contreras guitars are known for their innovations, from the “Double Top” to the prize-winning “10th Anniversary” model.
At a Glance
- Workshop: Madrid, Spain – Calle Mayor 80 from 1962 to 2011, now Calle Segovia 57
- Manuel Contreras I (1928–1994): trained with José Ramírez III from 1959; independent from 1962
- Manuel Contreras II, “Pablo” (1957–2011): born Pablo Manuel Contreras; professional guitar maker from 1986; led the workshop from 1994
- Today: directed by Victoria Velasco with the luthiers who worked under Pablo
- Famous models: “Double Top” (1974), “Carlevaro” (1983), “10th Anniversary” (Joaquín Rodrigo prize, Aranjuez, November 17, 2000)
- Played by: all members of the Romero quartet, among many others
Manuel Contreras I (1928–1994)
Manuel Contreras Sr. (1928–1994), a native of Madrid, acquired excellent woodworking skills at a very young age that led to a budding career as a furniture maker. His cabinetry skills gained the attention of José Ramírez III, who invited him to apprentice in his workshop in 1959. Within three years he had developed his craft sufficiently to set up as an independent guitar maker in Madrid. So in 1962 Contreras set up on his own at number 80 Calle Mayor, which remained the location of the famous shop for almost fifty years.
Almost from the beginning, Contreras gained the reputation for being one of the more creative and inventive luthiers in Spain. From the 1970s onwards, he experimented endlessly with various unconventional designs and techniques. Of the numerous creations that came out of this period, perhaps the best known and most played was the “Double Top” model, which Contreras presented in 1974 after a number of experiments seeking to improve the tonal palette and increase the volume. The most notable feature of this model is its use of soundboard material (cedar or spruce) laminated to the interior of the back. Many top players were enthusiastic about this model from the beginning, most notably all members of the Romero quartet. This encouraged Contreras to continue with this innovative way of working.
The “Double Top”, the “Carlevaro” and Other Innovations
Other instruments from this period include the curious “Guitar-Harp” and the “Alto-Guitar”, a smaller instrument with a higher tuning than the conventional guitar. The prestigious Niibori Guitar Orchestra of Japan is perhaps best known for popularizing this model. The most sensational of his output is arguably the “Carlevaro” model, first introduced in 1983. Built in collaboration with Uruguayan composer, pedagogue and concert artist Abel Carlevaro, it incorporates a number of very unusual elements, the most striking being the missing waist on the bass side and the lack of a soundhole on the soundboard.
Manuel Contreras I passed away in 1994, and thereafter his son Manuel Contreras II continued the work to carry on the family legacy.
Manuel Contreras II, “Pablo” (1957–2011)
Born in 1957 as Pablo Manuel Contreras, Manuel Contreras II went by “Pablo” throughout his life – in the workshop, among players and to his many friends. He learned the craft of lutherie by working alongside his father, and he decided definitively to become a professional guitar maker in 1986. Manuel II carried on the family tradition by continuing to build the traditional Contreras workshop models, and he showed the same innovative spirit as his father, which allowed for the development of many of Contreras’ most popular models, such as the “Double Top” model and the 10º Aniversario (the “10th Anniversary” model).
The Joaquín Rodrigo Prize, Aranjuez 2000
On November 17, 2000, the City of Aranjuez and the Fundación Victoria y Joaquín Rodrigo awarded Manuel Contreras II first prize in the Convocatoria Internacional de Guitarras, organized for the centenary of the composer’s birth, for the “10th Anniversary” model. The “10th Anniversary” has since increased in popularity among both student guitarists and concert performers.
Victoria Velasco and the Workshop Today
Victoria Velasco joined the Contreras shop in 1989, while concurrently serving as superior professor of classical guitar at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid. Victoria’s knowledge of music, as well as her fluency in many different languages, allowed her to successfully carry out many of the PR and communications tasks for the Contreras shop that were necessary for the flourishing growth that prototype and completed instruments experienced during Manuel II’s era. Victoria continues to influence how the Contreras workshop is represented worldwide as much as she did before the shop was connected to the digital age.
Manuel II passed away in January 2011, leaving behind a thriving shop. Sadly, the historic shop at Calle Mayor 80 then closed, and the workshop moved to Calle Segovia 57, where fascinating guitars are being built under the direction of Victoria Velasco by the same team of luthiers who worked under Pablo. Victoria is the heir to the Contreras tradition and remains very close to Manuel II’s sisters as they all collaborate to fulfill the Contreras vision.
Awards and Recognition
Contreras guitars have been critically acclaimed and highly awarded, and they have also been replicated in homage to Contreras in Spain as well as abroad. Among many other highly regarded awards, Contreras has received awards from la Cámara de Comercio de Madrid a la Exportación, Establecimiento Tradicional y Artesano Tradicional Madrileño, la Escuela Española de la Guitarra (which named Contreras an honorary member), Patronato de Turismo (which named Contreras a friend of Madrid), Maestro Mayor del Gremio de Artesanos de Madrid, and medals from the Salón de Provenza y de la ciudad de Digne en Francia. Without a doubt, the Contreras shop considers its best and most fulfilling award to be the support that numerous players and concert professionals show every time they play a Contreras guitar on stages across the world.
Manuel Contreras Guitars at GSI
Many Manuel Contreras guitars have passed through our doors over the years. 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
Who was Manuel Contreras?
A Madrid guitar maker (1928–1994) who trained with José Ramírez III and opened his own shop at Calle Mayor 80 in 1962. He is famous for innovations such as the “Double Top” and “Carlevaro” models.
Who was Manuel Contreras II (Pablo Contreras)?
His son, born Pablo Manuel Contreras and known as “Pablo” (1957–2011), who led the workshop from 1994 and developed models such as the “10th Anniversary”.
Is the Contreras workshop still building guitars?
Yes. Since 2011 it has been directed by Victoria Velasco, with the same team of luthiers who worked under Pablo, now at Calle Segovia 57 in Madrid.
What is the Contreras “Double Top”?
A model introduced in 1974 with soundboard material laminated to the inside of the back, played by all members of the Romero quartet.
