Julia Wenzel is a German classical guitar maker based in Munich. Trained at the Instrumentenbauschule Mittenwald and a Master of Crafts, she won a shared second prize at the first Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition in Granada in 2017, and her guitars recall the Miguel Rodríguez sound of the 1960s. GSI is her exclusive US dealer.
Julia Wenzel at a Glance
- Workshop: Munich, Germany
- Training: Instrumentenbauschule Mittenwald (three years, top of her class); Master of Crafts, Munich
- Worked with: Florian Blöchinger; advice from Edmund Blöchinger
- Prize: 2nd prize (shared), I Antonio Marín Montero Competition, Granada, 2017
- Style: traditional Spanish, close to the 1960s Miguel Rodríguez guitars
- GSI: exclusive US dealer
From a Cedar Canoe to Mittenwald
Julia Wenzel found out relatively late about her true passion – building guitars. At the age of 25 she decided to build a cedarwood canoe, and while doing so she realized her magnificent talent in woodworking. During the process she saw a similarity to how one would build a lute or guitar. Attracted to guitars all her life, she knew that to learn the technical details of the craft properly she would need to study at the Instrumentenbauschule Mittenwald – a three-year commitment, which she made, graduating at the top of her class. Six years later she completed her Master of Crafts examination in Munich, her home city, where she still lives and works.
Working with Florian and Edmund Blöchinger
Julia also befriended Florian Blöchinger, and the two built four guitars together in an apprenticeship in Munich. She has also had the great fortune to receive advice from Florian's father, the legendary luthier Edmund Blöchinger.
The Julia Wenzel Sound
Julia builds in the traditional Spanish style, and her sound and feel resemble the guitars from the Miguel Rodríguez shop, particularly from the 1960s, for looseness, warmth and responsiveness – fused with her own sensitivity for balance and separation. Her guitars combine a fast, immediate attack with a full, harmonically rich sound, and she has developed a lovely personal style, with an elegant, rounded plantilla. In 2024 she was filmed for our on-location video series with D'Addario at Kaltenberg Castle in Upper Bavaria – watch the videos here.
Prize Winner in Granada
After several years of working at her craft, Julia was awarded second prize (shared with Oscar Muñoz) at the first Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition, held in Granada, Spain, in October 2017.
Julia Wenzel Guitars at GSI
GSI is proud to be Julia Wenzel's exclusive dealer in the USA, and many of her guitars have passed through our doors since 2018. 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 Julia Wenzel build her guitars?
In Munich, Germany, where she lives and works.
Did Julia Wenzel win a prize in Granada?
Yes – a shared second prize at the first Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition in 2017.
Where can I buy a Julia Wenzel guitar in the USA?
GSI is her exclusive US dealer.
