1974 Marcelino López CD/CSAR

This 1974 Marcelino López Nieto is a cedar and CSA rosewood classical guitar made in Madrid, Spain, bought from its original owner, who collected it from Marcelino himself in 1974.

One Owner since 1974

We acquired this guitar from its original owner, who picked it up directly from Marcelino in Spain in 1974 – see the additional photos in the gallery. Made in 1974, it is a great example of the style he championed.

Condition

Condition is excellent for a guitar of this age. Apart from playing wear in the finish, the guitar has no repairs or prior damage. It is concert-ready for any performance situation. This is a fantastic example by one of Spain's most beloved luthiers.

Read more: Orfeo Magazine No. 3 – interview with Marcelino López Nieto · Orfeo No. 3 on our blog · our 2008 interview with Marcelino

Marcelino López Nieto (1931–2018): Guitar Maker of Madrid

The late Marcelino López Nieto was one of Spain's most respected guitar makers of the 20th century. He was originally a performer of the guitar – a student of Daniel Fortea, who was himself a pupil of Tárrega – and his professional background was in cabinetmaking, so the move to guitar making came naturally, as it has for so many builders throughout history. After the death of Santos Hernández in 1943 he befriended Santos' widow, Matilde Ruiz López, and was able to spend time in the Santos workshop before setting up his own shop in 1949, at the age of 18. He also worked with Hernández y Aguado in the early 1970s and built several "Hernández y Aguado" models over the years.

Small-Bodied Guitars in the Tradition of Torres

Although a Madrid maker, Marcelino never fell under the shadow of the larger, sturdier guitars of the Ramírez school. He always preferred to build in the traditional style of Antonio de Torres and the southern Spanish makers – a smaller body without double sides, mostly spruce tops and a French polish finish. Alongside his classical and flamenco guitars he also built historical instruments, from vihuelas, lutes and Baroque and Romantic guitars to violins, many of them after originals in his own large collection.