2004 José López Bellido SP/CSAR

This 2004 José López Bellido is a spruce and CSA rosewood guitar from Granada, Spain, equally at home in the concert classical repertoire or in flamenco as a negra.

José López Bellido: Flamenco and Classical

From the famous Bellido family of Granada, José López Bellido (1943–2024) was known for both flamenco and classical guitars. Having learned first from his brother Manuel, with advice from Eduardo Ferrer, he made guitars that capture the traditional spirit of fine handmade concert instruments.

This guitar has a strong bite that is matched with a subtle warmth, which we think would make it a great flamenco negra or concert classical instrument.

José López Bellido (1943–2024): A Granada Master

José López Bellido was born in Granada in 1943 and learned to build guitars from his brother, Manuel López Bellido, founder of the Bellido Workshop, while also seeking advice from the Granada master Eduardo Ferrer. He then set up a workshop of his own on Gomérez, the street that climbs up to the Alhambra, close to his friend, the guitar maker Rafael Moreno – and there, over several decades, he became equally respected for his flamenco and classical guitars.

Teacher and Friend

José taught many important makers, among them Antonio Raya Pardo and Bernd Martin. A wonderfully kind and generous man, he made headlines in 2021 when he won ten million euros in the lottery and shared it among sixty families in need. José passed away on May 10, 2024, at the age of 81.