Manuel Reyes (1934–2014) was a Spanish flamenco guitar maker who built in Córdoba from 1949, whose guitars were played by Vicente Amigo and Paco Serrano, and for whom GSI was the exclusive U.S. dealer.
At a Glance
- Full name: Manuel Reyes Maldonado
- Born: Jayena, Granada, Spain, July 18, 1934
- Died: Córdoba, Spain, November 10, 2014 (In Memoriam)
- Workshop: Córdoba, Spain, from 1949, his first and only workshop
- Teachers: Joaquín Sánchez Galisteo; advice from Marcelo Barbero (1956)
- Played by: Vicente Amigo, Paco Serrano and many other flamenco professionals
- Successor: his son, Manuel Agustín Reyes Flores (Manuel Reyes Jr.)
The Master of Córdoba
Manuel Reyes Maldonado was born in Jayena, Granada, Spain, but he has long been associated with the beautiful neighboring city of Córdoba, where his famed workshop was established and is now run by Manuel Jr. Reyes was born on July 18, 1934, and passed away on November 10, 2014. We would like to express our admiration for both his life as a lover of music and for his masterful craftsmanship, which we were privileged to experience over many years of playing and selling his passionately inspired guitars. His instruments, to us, have always been the epitome of the true flamenco sound – one of boldness, snappy attack, great balance, percussive yet creamy qualities (when necessary) – overall, instruments of Spanish character. Manuel Reyes was a first-class luthier, and we feel very fortunate to have known him so well for the last few decades of his life.
A First Guitar Built by Intuition
Manuel Reyes started playing the flamenco guitar at a very young age. Once, he was given an old guitar by the flamenco singer known as Carmen Lacquer. Unsatisfied with its condition, he attempted to restore it, but even after he had completed the work, he remained unhappy. So he decided instead to build one with his bare hands and pure intuition, which, as guitar history has shown, can be a great combination for genius-calibre luthiery! We do not know what became of this first guitar, but we can imagine it was at least a creative starting point for Reyes, who went on to become one of the best guitar makers the world has seen.
Teachers and a Meeting with Marcelo Barbero
Manuel Reyes met luthier Joaquín Sánchez Galisteo early on in his guitar-making career, and Sánchez soon became his first teacher. Sánchez taught Reyes the fundamental basics of guitar making, and after years of training, Reyes started his own, first and only workshop in Córdoba in 1949. At just 15 years of age, Reyes began making instruments in the city where he would build, and later supervise construction, for 65 years. After a few years of experience under his belt, in 1956, the famed flamenco guitarist Pepe Martínez introduced him to Marcelo Barbero in Madrid, where Reyes was able to take in some advice from the great master – tips that influenced him his entire life.
Among the Greatest Flamenco Guitar Makers
Reyes' reputation is largely that of a master flamenco guitar maker, although he did build the odd classical as well. He is considered to be among the greatest and most sought-after flamenco makers in history, alongside Marcelo Barbero, Arcángel Fernández and even Santos Hernández. His stature is such that Luis F. Leal Pinar devotes an entire chapter to him in the compilation book Guitarreros de Andalucía (2004), where he reminds us that Reyes' instruments are known for their precise craftsmanship and authentic Andalusian flamenco guitar sound – THE Spanish sound. During his lifetime, Reyes' flamenco guitars were in such huge demand that he could not accept new orders for years. Perhaps the most notable player to endorse Manuel Reyes guitars was and is Vicente Amigo, along with Paco Serrano; however, there have been and are still many other great performers who continue to play his instruments.
Manuel Reyes Jr. and the Family Legacy
Reyes' successor, Manuel Agustín Reyes Flores Jr. (born 1969), is carrying on the family legacy, having built side by side with his father for twenty years between 1994 and 2014. Manuel Jr. has defined himself as a builder of flamenco guitars exclusively, and his instruments are based on the same design as his father's works; besides the label, these guitars are aesthetically indistinguishable from Manuel Sr.'s. During Manuel Sr.'s lifetime, GSI was proud to be the exclusive U.S. dealer for new guitars from the Reyes workshop, by both father and son.
Interview with Manuel Reyes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Manuel Reyes? Manuel Reyes Maldonado (1934–2014) was a Spanish flamenco guitar maker who built in Córdoba from 1949 until his death, and one of the most sought-after flamenco guitar makers in history.
Who played Manuel Reyes guitars? Most notably Vicente Amigo and Paco Serrano, along with dozens of other flamenco professionals around the world.
Who did Manuel Reyes learn from? His first teacher was Joaquín Sánchez Galisteo, and in 1956 he received advice from Marcelo Barbero in Madrid that influenced him his entire life.
Are Manuel Reyes Jr. guitars the same as his father's? Manuel Jr. built side by side with his father from 1994 to 2014 and uses the same design; besides the label, his flamenco guitars are aesthetically indistinguishable from his father's.
