Mario Aracama is a classical guitar maker who lives and builds in the Alpujarra mountains near Granada, Spain. Trained at Guildhall University in London under David Whiteman, he moved to Granada in 2003 to learn from Antonio Marín Montero, and builds light, vibrant guitars in the line of Antonio de Torres. GSI is Mario's exclusive dealer in the USA.
At a Glance
- Nationality: Spanish
- Workshop: Alpujarra mountains, near Granada, Spain
- Training: Guildhall University, London (Musical Instrument Technology)
- Teachers: David Whiteman; Antonio Marín Montero
- In Granada since: 2003
- Builds: Traditional classical guitars, lightly braced tops
- Signature: Cypress-doubled sides; a unique design on every guitar
- US dealer: GSI (exclusive)
From England to Granada
Mario Aracama became captivated with the classical guitar at an early age and, while living in England, decided to become a luthier, subsequently attending Guildhall University. There he graduated in Musical Instrument Technology, specializing in traditional classical and flamenco guitars under the tutelage of David Whiteman. In 2003 he relocated to Granada, where he learned further from Antonio Marín Montero.
The Granada Style, in the Line of Torres
In the following years Mario enjoyed a fruitful exchange of ideas with his friends Michael Ritchie and Jose Vigil, which has also influenced his style. True to the Granada aesthetic, Mario builds a vibrant instrument with lightly braced tops, based in the great Spanish tradition in the line of Torres. Many of his guitars have sides doubled on the inside with cypress, in the manner of the great Madrid concert guitars – adding power and focus while keeping the guitar light.
Every Guitar a Different Design
Every guitar built by Mario features a different, original – but very traditional and tasteful – design. He enjoys designing rosettes and purflings to complement the woods chosen for each instrument, so that the whole guitar has a unified wholeness of its own, and he often works with unusual timbers – kamagong from the Philippines, Indonesian tamarind and flamed mango, ovangkol – alongside the classic rosewoods, cocobolo and maple. Today he lives and builds in the beautiful Alpujarra mountains near Granada.
Video: Building an Aracama Guitar
This short film documents the building of one of Mario's guitars, shot over two months during Spain's 2020 lockdown.
FAQ
Where is Mario Aracama's workshop?
In the Alpujarra mountains near Granada, Spain.
Who taught Mario Aracama?
David Whiteman at Guildhall University in London, and later Antonio Marín Montero in Granada.
What is special about Mario Aracama's guitars?
Light, vibrant Granada-style guitars in the Torres tradition, many with cypress-doubled sides, and a different original design on every instrument.
Where can I buy a Mario Aracama guitar in the USA?
GSI is Mario's exclusive dealer in the USA.
Many of Mario's 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.
