Wolfgang Jellinghaus (1951–2024) was a German guitar maker known for his faithful replicas of historic guitars by Antonio de Torres, Lacote, Hauser and Ramírez, and for his own Signature models, available in the USA exclusively at GSI.
At a Glance
- Born: Dortmund, Germany, 1951
- Died: 2024 (In Memoriam)
- Family: son of guitar maker Walter Jellinghaus
- Career: Musik Jellinghaus GmbH (from 1978); founder of Martinez Guitars (1983); "Milestones of Music" workshop (from 2013); guitars under his own name
- Known for: replicas of historic Torres guitars and his Signature double-top models; co-creator of the La Cañada line with Edmund Blöchinger
- At GSI: exclusive to GSI in the USA, and one of the most popular lines GSI has ever carried
A Guitar Maker's Son from Dortmund
Wolfgang Jellinghaus was born in 1951 in Dortmund, Germany. His father, Walter Jellinghaus, was himself a guitar maker and naturally introduced the craft to Wolfgang at a young age. In 1978, Wolfgang began managing his family's retail music shop, Musik Jellinghaus GmbH, and in 1983 he became involved in manufacturing and created Martinez Guitars, designing their first line of guitars. In 2003, production of Martinez Guitars was moved to China with Wolfgang's assistance.
Milestones of Music: Replicas of Torres, Lacote and Hauser
In 2013, he sold Musik Jellinghaus GmbH and set up an independent workshop in China, building guitars under the name "Milestones of Music": a small, traditional boutique workshop that specialized in making high-quality guitars in the style of such great historical makers as Lacote, Antonio de Torres, Hauser and Ramírez, among others. He later developed a new line of instruments under his own name, and with the collaboration of Edmund Blöchinger he refined many of his replicas and established the La Cañada line of guitars.
Wolfgang Jellinghaus and GSI
GSI began representing Wolfgang's guitars in the USA in 2018, when we first played one of his Signature double-tops – one of the best double-tops we'd seen, especially at its price – and we are proud to be his exclusive U.S. dealer. His tireless enthusiasm for developing his line of guitars, whether sourcing non-traditional woods on his travels to Central and South America or discovering the plans of a hitherto un-reproduced Torres guitar, was inspiring to all who knew him. His attention to detail and quality made his guitars one of the most popular lines we've ever carried.
A Lasting Legacy
Wolfgang passed away in 2024, a great colleague, collaborator and dear friend to all of us at GSI (read our tribute). The legacy of his professional life continues, as the successors of his business carry on the work he established.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Wolfgang Jellinghaus? A German guitar maker (1951–2024) from Dortmund, the son of guitar maker Walter Jellinghaus, known for replicas of historic guitars and his own Signature models.
Which historic guitars did Wolfgang Jellinghaus replicate? Guitars in the style of Antonio de Torres, Lacote, Hauser and Ramírez, among others, including several Torres guitars that had never been reproduced before.
Are Jellinghaus guitars still being made? Yes. Since Wolfgang's death in 2024, the successors of his business have carried on his work.
Where can I buy Wolfgang Jellinghaus guitars in the USA? GSI is the exclusive dealer for Wolfgang Jellinghaus guitars in the USA.
