Jochen Röthel (born 1969) is a German classical guitar maker in Würzburg, trained at Lakewood Guitars and at the Staatliche Geigenbauschule Mittenwald, and inspired by José Romanillos. His lightweight, low-resonance guitars follow the Spanish tradition of Torres, Manuel Ramírez and Hauser, and are prized for their cultivated sound, power and precise craftsmanship.
At a Glance
- Born: 1969, Kitzingen, Bavaria, Germany
- Training: Lakewood Guitars (Martin Seeliger, Giessen); Staatliche Geigenbauschule Mittenwald; José Romanillos workshop course, Córdoba (1992)
- Qualification: German master luthier ("Meisterbrief"), 1997
- Workshop: Würzburg, Germany (Oldenburg from 1997 until around 2015)
- Tradition: Antonio de Torres, Manuel Ramírez and Hermann Hauser
- Known for: lightweight construction, low body resonance, a sonorous but cultivated sound, and immaculate workmanship
A Cabinet Maker's Son from Bavaria
A great friend whom we caught up with at Musikmesse 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany, Jochen Röthel continues to build astonishing instruments that inspire players and listeners alike with their cultivated character and great power.
Jochen Röthel was born in 1969 and grew up as the son of a cabinet maker in Kitzingen, a city in the northern part of Bavaria, Germany. After high school, his great passion for guitars motivated him to start his education as a guitar maker at the Lakewood Guitars workshop of Martin Seeliger in Giessen, where he also met Michel Brück, who later became a very inspiring influence and who is still a good friend of Röthel's.
The Romanillos Course and Master Luthier
His participation in a guitar builders' workshop conducted by José Luis Romanillos in 1992 in Córdoba, Spain, was the decisive spark for his later specialization in the building of classical guitars. After he completed his training as a guitar maker (including the famous "Staatliche Geigenbauschule Mittenwald" in the upper Bavarian Alps) and received his Master's degree as a luthier in guitar in 1997, Röthel moved to Oldenburg, Germany, where he established his workshop as an independent guitar maker. Around 2015 he moved his workshop to Würzburg, not far from his hometown of Kitzingen, where he builds today.
Inspired by Torres, Ramírez and Hauser
In addition to building, he has taken on numerous restoration projects and has established contact with guitar collectors, which resulted in numerous opportunities to study great guitars of the old masters like Manuel Ramírez, Vicente Arias, Domingo Esteso, Gómez Ramírez, Weissgerber and Hauser I. Meanwhile, he has developed his own guitar building concepts based on the fundamentals of the traditional Spanish school of Antonio de Torres, Manuel Ramírez and Hermann Hauser.
The strong, warm and expressive sound of these old instruments was very inspiring and encouraged Jochen Röthel to adopt their lightweight construction and low body frequencies for his own guitars. As a result, Röthel guitars have a sonorous but cultivated character and are at the same time powerful concert instruments.
Jochen Röthel Guitars at GSI
Of note, anyone who has had the opportunity to see these guitars is astonished at how precisely crafted and elegant they are in appearance. Overall they are sensational instruments in every respect, making Jochen Röthel one of the finer contemporary builders on our roster.
Many Jochen Röthel 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 is Jochen Röthel?
A German classical guitar maker, born in 1969 in Kitzingen, Bavaria, a master luthier since 1997 and based in Würzburg.
Where did Jochen Röthel train?
At Lakewood Guitars in Giessen, at the Staatliche Geigenbauschule Mittenwald, and at José Romanillos' guitar-making course in Córdoba, Spain (1992).
What are Röthel guitars like?
Lightweight with a low body resonance, in the Spanish tradition of Torres, Manuel Ramírez and Hauser: sonorous and cultivated in sound, yet powerful concert instruments, and immaculately made.
