Lester DeVoe (born 1951) is an American flamenco guitar maker whose light, traditional guitars were played by Sabicas, Paco de Lucía and Vicente Amigo – one of the most respected flamenco builders of the last fifty years, now retired.
Lester DeVoe at a Glance
- Born: 1951, California
- Workshops: San José, California; Long Look Farm, Paris Hill, Maine (1990s); Nipomo, California (2000s–2010s)
- Building since: 1975 – self-taught
- Known for: featherlight “flamenco puro” guitars, perfect balance and playability, the “roses” rosette
- Played by: Sabicas, Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo, El Viejín, Antonio Rey, Ottmar Liebert
- Status: retired
A Flamenco Maker from California
Lester DeVoe began as a flamenco guitarist in the San Francisco Bay Area and turned to building after seeing his teacher’s 1924 Santos Hernández. Self-taught, he built his first guitar in 1975. His labels trace his moves: San José, California in the 1980s; Long Look Farm in Paris Hill and South Paris, Maine, in the late 1990s; and Nipomo, California, from the 2000s. In recent years he retired from guitar making.
Sabicas, Paco de Lucía and Vicente Amigo
DeVoe was “discovered” in the 1980s by Sabicas, who played his guitars for the rest of his career. He was then embraced by Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo, El Viejín and many other flamenco professionals; Antonio Rey recorded his album “Flamenco Sin Fronteras” on a 2007 DeVoe negra.
The DeVoe Flamenco
He builds in the style of the old masters: guitars as light as a feather, comparable in weight to a great Marcelo Barbero or Santos Hernández, with a “flamenco puro” sound of bright, vibrant basses and snappy trebles. Above all, players prize his playability and balance – even string tension across the strings and up the fingerboard, a picado that releases instantly, perfect intonation and low action. His classic rosette is a “roses” design after early José Ramírez guitars; he also made Santos-style rosettes, negras and blancas, and guitars with wooden or machined pegs. In the 1990s he built a handful of lower-priced “Model AAA” classical guitars. Many players feel his finest guitars date from after 2010.
Lester DeVoe Guitars at GSI
Many Lester DeVoe 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 Lester DeVoe?
An American flamenco guitar maker, born in 1951, who built guitars from 1975 until his retirement and whose instruments were played by Sabicas, Paco de Lucía and Vicente Amigo.
Where did Lester DeVoe build his guitars?
In San José, California; at Long Look Farm in Paris Hill, Maine; and later in Nipomo, California.
Is Lester DeVoe still building guitars?
No – he has retired, so his guitars are now only available second-hand.
What is a DeVoe “Model AAA”?
A lower-priced classical model of the 1990s with Schaller tuners and a pre-made rosette, otherwise built to his full standard.
