1998 Antonio Marín Montero SP/CSAR

Year	1998
Top	Spruce
Back & Sides	CSA Rosewood
Scale Length	650 mm
Nut width	52 mm
Finish	French Polish
Country	Spain
Luthier	Antonio Marín Montero

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The back of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The rosette of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The lower bout of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The bridge of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The heel of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The front of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The side of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The headstock of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

The label of a 1998 Antonio Marin Montero Spanish classical guitar made with spruce and CSA rosewood.

Niccolò Paganini's "CAPRICCIO 24" performed on a Antonio Márin Montero guitar by Mircea Gogoncea

Description

This 1998 Antonio Marín Montero "Bouchet" is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from Granada, Spain – noticeably powerful even by Marín's standards, with no damage or repairs.

A Top Example of the Marín "Bouchet"

It has the robust, creamy quality to the sound that may be its "Bouchet" inheritance, with the quick, bouncy responsiveness of the best southern Spanish instruments. This guitar is also noticeably quite powerful, even by Marín's usual standard – for sound and playability it's a top example.

Condition

Condition is excellent – no damage, no repairs. It only has some healthy wear in the finish from regular but respectful use. Overall a great Marín, showcasing all the qualities that one would hope for based on his steadfast reputation.

Background

Young Antonio Marin Montero in his workshop

Antonio Marín Montero: Founder of the Modern Granada School

Antonio Marín Montero (b. 1933) is considered to be the foundational builder of the contemporary Granada school – many builders from around the world have come to Granada to work with and learn from this great maker. Born in Granada, he began as a woodworker in local cabinetmaking and marquetry workshops, among them those of Francisco Moya and Recaredo Veredas; in 1957 he joined the workshop of maestro Pérez, and in 1959, on his father's advice, he went to Eduardo Ferrer on the Cuesta de Gomérez, next to the Alhambra. With Manuel López Bellido he then ran the "Montero-Bellido" workshop, where a whole generation of Granada makers trained.

The Marín "Bouchet" and a Life of Iconic Guitars

His association with Robert Bouchet is legendary: the two became close friends after Antonio visited the Paris master in 1977, and their collaboration produced what became known as Marín's "Bouchet" model, with structural and design elements – including the famous transverse brace passing below the bridge – that clearly show Bouchet's influence. Over the decades he built some of the most iconic classical and flamenco guitars of the Granada school, working alongside his nephew José Marín Plazuelo and José González López, until he retired in 2024 and closed his workshop. The Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition, held in Granada since 2017, bears his name.