Mariano and Sergio Tezanos are Madrid classical guitar makers from a family of three generations of luthiers: Mariano Tezanos Castro trained in the workshop of José Ramírez III and later built "Tezanos-Pérez" guitars with Teodoro Pérez, and his nephew Sergio learned the craft at his side.
At a Glance
- Workshop: Calle Vicente Camarón 19, Madrid, Spain
- Family: three generations – the first Mariano Tezanos (1950s), his son Mariano Tezanos Castro, and his grandson Sergio Tezanos
- Mariano Tezanos Castro: born in Madrid in 1949
- Trained: Mariano with José Ramírez III, from apprentice; Sergio with his uncle Mariano, from 1995
- At Ramírez: Mariano built his own guitars there from 1984, signed "MTC No. 10"
- Partnership: "Tezanos-Pérez" with Teodoro Pérez, 1991–2005
- Model: the Mariano Tezanos "Maestro"
The First Mariano Tezanos
The family story begins with the first Mariano Tezanos, a respected maker of the Madrid school in the 1950s. From a small workshop in his home he built guitars for well-known concert players of the day.
Mariano Tezanos Castro and the José Ramírez III Workshop
His son, Mariano Tezanos Castro, was born in Madrid in 1949. After finishing his studies in 1963 he went to work with José Ramírez III, starting as an apprentice in the celebrated Ramírez workshop. In 1984 he began building his own instruments inside the Ramírez shop, signed "MTC No. 10".
Tezanos-Pérez Guitars (1991–2005)
In 1991 Mariano teamed up with fellow Ramírez veteran Teodoro Pérez, and the two built guitars together under the name "Tezanos-Pérez", with stunning materials and the big Madrid sound both had learned at Ramírez. In April 2005 they parted ways amicably and each set up his own shop.
The Mariano Tezanos "Maestro"
Under his own name, at Calle Vicente Camarón 19 in Madrid, Mariano built the "Maestro" – the only Tezanos model we have seen. These guitars have a recognizably big, thick Madrid-style tone with plenty of power, and they are usually made with beautiful CSA rosewood for the back and sides. One of them, a 2006 cedar "Maestro", belonged to Grammy Award winner Scott Tennant.
Sergio Tezanos: The Third Generation
Sergio Tezanos, Mariano's nephew and grandson of the first Mariano, has worked alongside his uncle since 1995. He went on to build guitars under his own label at the same Vicente Camarón address, developing his own models, which have been exported to countries including Japan and the United States. His guitars have the typical Madrid build and feel, a big, hearty and balanced sound that often reminds us of the great Bernabé guitars of the 1980s and 1990s, and tasteful inlay work in the rosette and purfling.
Tezanos Guitars at GSI
Several Mariano and Sergio Tezanos 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 are Mariano and Sergio Tezanos? Mariano Tezanos Castro (born 1949) is a Madrid guitar maker trained in the José Ramírez III workshop; Sergio Tezanos is his nephew, who worked with him from 1995 and went on to build under his own name.
What are Tezanos-Pérez guitars? Guitars Mariano Tezanos built from 1991 to April 2005 in partnership with Teodoro Pérez, another veteran of the Ramírez workshop.
What is the Tezanos "Maestro"? The model Mariano built under his own name after 2005 at Calle Vicente Camarón 19 in Madrid.
What do Sergio Tezanos guitars sound like? Big, hearty and full, yet balanced and clear – often reminding us of the great Bernabé guitars of the 1980s and 1990s.
