Abel García is a Mexican classical guitar maker from Paracho, Michoacán, and one of the most respected builders of the town's long guitar-making tradition. He studied in the masterclasses of José Luis Romanillos, has long been a friend of the Romero family – Pepe Romero and Angel Romero have both played his guitars in concert – and his work was featured in Orfeo Magazine No. 20.
At a Glance
- Workshop: Paracho (Michoacán), Mexico
- Studied with: José Luis Romanillos (masterclasses, including Córdoba, 1993)
- Players: Pepe Romero, Angel Romero
- Historical models: after the 1856 Antonio de Torres of Pepe Romero; after the 1912 Manuel Ramírez of Andrés Segovia
- Also built: 640 mm and 10-string guitars
- Featured in: Orfeo Magazine No. 20 (Paracho)
Abel García and Paracho's Guitar-Making Tradition
Paracho, a small town in the highlands of Michoacán, has been the center of Mexican guitar-making for generations, and Abel García is one of its most respected contemporary luthiers. His guitars are lightly built with a traditional 5-fan system and are known for a rich and warm sound, very textured and velvety, with great volume and clarity – and for a very comfortable setup that makes them enjoyable for player and audience alike.
The José Luis Romanillos Masterclasses
Abel took part in the famous masterclasses of José Luis Romanillos, which inspired a generation of younger makers, many of whom have become today's leading luthiers. In the summer of 1993, during the Córdoba Guitar Festival, he built a model of the 1912 Manuel Ramírez (made by Santos Hernández) that Andrés Segovia played – in the workshop Romanillos directed – and both makers signed its label. Another guitar Abel built that year under Romanillos' tutelage was displayed for several years in a Paracho museum, helped run in the 1990s by Carlos Monroy, that exhibited guitars by the town's best builders.
Guitars for Pepe and Angel Romero
Abel has been friends for many years with the Romero family, who have played his instruments and promoted them to their students as an excellent value for a professionally made concert-level guitar. Angel Romero played many concerts on a cedar-top Abel García built for him, and Pepe Romero picked up one of his guitars during a festival in Paracho in 2000 and played all his concerts there with it. Abel also built Pepe a guitar based on Pepe's own 1856 Antonio de Torres, after inspecting and measuring the original in Pepe's home.
Abel García in Orfeo Magazine
Orfeo Magazine No. 20: Paracho
A guitar journey to Paracho del Verduzco, Mexico, with articles on Abel García, Fructuoso Zalapa and other Paracho makers.
Many Abel García 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
Where does Abel García build his guitars?
In Paracho, in the Mexican state of Michoacán – the traditional center of Mexican guitar-making.
Did Abel García study with José Luis Romanillos?
Yes. He took part in Romanillos' masterclasses, and in 1993 built a model of Segovia's 1912 Manuel Ramírez in the workshop Romanillos directed in Córdoba, Spain, with a label signed by both makers.
Which guitarists have played Abel García guitars?
Pepe Romero and Angel Romero have both owned and played his guitars in concert.
