Vicente Carrillo is a classical and flamenco guitar maker from Casasimarro, in the province of Cuenca, Spain, born in 1963, the seventh generation of a family of guitar makers in Casasimarro going back to the 18th century.
At a Glance
- Full name: Vicente Carrillo Casas
- Born: 1963
- Workshop: Casasimarro (Cuenca), Spain – “El Pueblo de las Guitarras”
- Family tradition: seven generations, from Alfonso Anselmo Alarcón (born around 1744); the label reads “desde 1836”
- Runs the workshop: since 1980
- Influences: Madrid luthiers Ángel Benito Aguado and José Romero of the José Ramírez workshop
- Guitars: classical and flamenco, including models developed in cooperation with GSI
Casasimarro, “El Pueblo de las Guitarras”
Guitar making has been a constant tradition in the small Spanish town of Casasimarro, in the province of Cuenca, since the 18th century. The first known guitar maker in the town was Alfonso Anselmo Alarcón (born around 1744), the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Vicente Carrillo Casas (b. 1963). For many years now, the Carrillo workshop has earned Casasimarro the loving name “El Pueblo de las Guitarras” (the Town of the Guitars).
Seven Generations of Guitar Makers
The craft passed from Alfonso Anselmo to his son, Juan de Mata Alarcón, and through Juan’s daughter, Agustina Alarcón Escudero, into the Carrillo family when she married Felipe Manuel Carrillo. Their son, Blas Carrillo Alarcón (1834–1919, a.k.a. “Abuelo Moreno” – the “dark-haired grandfather”), carried on the family art – the label reads “desde 1836” – followed by Vicente Carrillo López (1881–1962) and Vicente Carrillo Cantos (1926–1971), with his wife, Gabriela Casas Fornier. Their son, Vicente Carrillo Casas, has been running the shop since 1980, the seventh generation of guitar makers in the family.
Madrid Power with Southern Lyricism
The distinctive elements of the Carrillo style have been influenced in recent years primarily by the Madrid luthiers Ángel Benito Aguado and José Romero (of the José Ramírez workshop). The guitars therefore have a big, deep and powerful quality much like the best guitars from the top Madrid shops, yet they still retain a lyrical charm found in southern Spanish instruments. In cooperation with GSI, Vicente has also made several further modifications to his guitars, and we believe these are among his finest instruments to date.
Many Vicente Carrillo 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
Where are Vicente Carrillo guitars made?
In the Carrillo family workshop in Casasimarro, in the province of Cuenca, Spain.
How old is the Carrillo workshop?
The family’s guitar-making tradition goes back to Alfonso Anselmo Alarcón, born around 1744, the first known guitar maker in Casasimarro. Vicente Carrillo Casas, born in 1963, is the seventh generation and has run the shop since 1980.
What does a Carrillo guitar sound like?
Big, deep and powerful, in the manner of the top Madrid workshops, with the lyrical charm of southern Spanish guitars.
