In Memoriam - Marcelino Lopez Nieto

We’ve just had word of the passing of the great Spanish luthier Marcelino Lopez Nieto. Lopez Nieto got his start as a luthier like so many mid-century Spanish luthiers – as a cabinet maker. But he was also a serious guitar player – a student of Daniel Fortea no less – and became something of a renaissance man, continuing his guitar studies into advanced age and also becoming a painter and opera singer. He even delved into history, finding evidence that the guitar may have had its roots in 2nd Century Rome. And in addition to making fantastic classical and flamenco guitars Lopez Nieto was a collector with a very impressive collection, and he did quite a bit of restoration work as well. In all, his was a life in every way dedicated to the guitar and the arts, and his contribution to the history of the Spanish guitar was considerable.

You can learn more about Marcelino Lopez Nieto by checking out these two interviews – one from Orfeo magazine and the other from Andrea Garcia.