Fructuoso Zalapa Luna is a Mexican classical guitar maker, born in 1961 into a guitar-making family in Paracho, Michoacán, who now builds in Morelia. He trained in Spain and Mexico, studied with José Luis Romanillos – who signed the label of a guitar Fructuoso built under his supervision – and later with Thomas Humphrey and Antonio Raya Pardo, and he has won Mexico's top prizes for guitar-making and handcrafts. GSI is his exclusive US dealer.
At a Glance
- Born: Paracho (Michoacán), Mexico, 1961
- Workshop: Morelia (Michoacán), Mexico
- Apprenticeship: in his family's workshop from age 10
- Teachers: Félix Manzanero, Manuel Cáceres, José Luis Romanillos (1995), Thomas Humphrey (1996), Antonio Raya Pardo (1997)
- Models: "Romanillos" and "Torres" tributes; a Humphrey tribute; a double-top model
- Prizes: First Prize, National Competition for Guitar-Makers, Paracho (1990, 1991, 1992, 2002)
- Prize: First Prize, FONART National Competition for Handcrafts (1993)
- Featured in: Orfeo Magazine No. 20 (Paracho)
- US dealer: GSI (exclusive)
Fructuoso Zalapa: From a Paracho Guitar-Making Family
Considered by many to be one of the finest guitar luthiers working in the Americas, Fructuoso Zalapa Luna was born in 1961 in the town of Paracho, in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, into a family of skilled guitar makers, and began his apprenticeship at age 10. In his late teens he left for Spain, where he spent several years studying with many renowned luthiers, including Félix Manzanero and Manuel Cáceres. His studies continued in the late 1980s in Mexico City at the National Music Conservatory. Today he builds in Morelia, the capital of Michoacán.
Prize-Winning Mexican Guitar Maker
Several awards for his instruments followed, including First Prize for Construction of Concert Guitars in the National Competition for Guitar-Makers (in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 2002), a famous Mexican event of national scope held each year in Paracho. In 1993 Fructuoso was awarded First Prize for his guitar-making in the National Competition for Handcrafts held by FONART, the Mexican government agency for the development of arts and handcrafts – the most prestigious award for handcrafts in Mexico. That same year he also received First Prize for Excellence in Handcrafts from the State of Michoacán, in a competition held in the city of Uruapan, and in 1995 he won another First Prize for Excellence in Handcrafts, this time from the State of Veracruz.
Studies with Romanillos, Humphrey and Raya Pardo
International recognition attracted the attention of none other than José Luis Romanillos, and Fructuoso's studies under Romanillos in 1995 led to Romanillos himself adding his own signature to the label of the guitar Fructuoso made under his supervision, because of its excellence and compliance with the exacting Romanillos standards. Despite all these accomplishments, Fructuoso continued to seek out the advice of other master builders: in 1996 he completed a course given by the renowned American luthier Thomas Humphrey in Paracho, and in 1997 he traveled once again to Spain to study under the legendary Granada maker Antonio Raya Pardo.
Tributes to Romanillos, Torres and Humphrey
Fructuoso's best-known models are tributes to his teachers and to the great makers of the past. His "Romanillos" follows the bracing, doming, thicknessing and plantilla of a Romanillos guitar he studied as closely as he can, with aesthetic details that are his own take on the Romanillos style. His "Torres" model, with a slightly more compact body, recalls the instruments of Antonio de Torres's so-called "first epoch" (c. 1852–1870). His tribute to Thomas Humphrey combines a "Millennium"-style elevated fingerboard with a lattice-braced double top, and he has also built a double-top model with a Nomex core. Many of his guitars are lined inside with cypress, much like the makers of the Madrid school.
Fructuoso Zalapa in Orfeo Magazine
Orfeo Magazine No. 20: Paracho
A guitar journey to Paracho del Verduzco, Mexico, with articles on Fructuoso Zalapa, Abel García and other Paracho makers.
Many Fructuoso Zalapa guitars have passed through our doors over the years – we are proud to be his exclusive US dealer. 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 Fructuoso Zalapa build his guitars?
In Morelia, the capital of the Mexican state of Michoacán. He was born in 1961 in Paracho, the traditional center of Mexican guitar-making.
Did Fructuoso Zalapa study with José Luis Romanillos?
Yes, in 1995. Romanillos added his own signature to the label of the guitar Fructuoso built under his supervision.
What prizes has Fructuoso Zalapa won?
Among others, First Prize for concert guitars at Mexico's National Competition for Guitar-Makers in Paracho (1990, 1991, 1992 and 2002) and First Prize in the FONART National Competition for Handcrafts (1993).
Where can I buy a Fructuoso Zalapa guitar in the USA?
GSI is the exclusive US dealer for Fructuoso Zalapa.
