2004 José Marín Plazuelo "Bouchet" SP/CSAR

This José Marín Plazuelo "Bouchet" from 2004 is a Granada-made classical guitar in spruce and CSA rosewood, in excellent condition with no damage or repairs.

A Plazuelo Classical Guitar in the Santos Tradition

In our view José ranks among the most consistent guitar makers working today, and among the very finest at anywhere near this price. The tone is outstanding, the building is expert and careful in every detail, and his guitars are just plain fun to play. Like the guitars of Santos and Barbero, they are very light and fairly small bodied.

Antonio Marín’s "Bouchet" Design

Built to the "Bouchet" plan of his well-known uncle, Antonio Marín Montero, this guitar is nearly identical to Antonio’s own: lighter 5-fan bracing, plus the brace that runs "under the bridge". The result is a more flexible top that keeps its structural stability – and, done properly as in this Marín/Plazuelo system, a big gain in dynamic range and tone modulation. Many consider that brace one of the great innovations of the 20th century. It was first used by Robert Bouchet, the French luthier who was Antonio Marín’s friend and colleague.

Materials, Playability and Condition

The materials are superb, including a stunning set of CSA rosewood for the back and sides, and playability is a dream. Condition is excellent, with only some minor wear in the finish – no repairs or damage. José is one of the top Spanish luthiers, and this guitar represents an excellent value for the price.

Read more: Orfeo Magazine No. 8 – The Granada School

José Marín Plazuelo: Nephew of Antonio Marín Montero

José Marín Plazuelo was born in Granada on June 13, 1960. He is the nephew of Antonio Marín Montero. In 1974, when he was just 14 years old, he started working alongside his uncle, where he and José González López learned how to build instruments. From the very beginning, José’s uncle praised his nephew’s work.

Traditional Spanish Guitars from Granada

José follows Antonio Marín’s technique and makes his guitars in the traditional Spanish way. For fifty years he made his own guitars in the Marín family workshop, beside his uncle, one of the most prestigious luthiers in the world. When Antonio retired in 2024 and closed the workshop, José and José González López moved to the center of Granada, where they now work out of Callejón Molino de San Martín 14.

José’s classical guitars are mainly inspired by the experience acquired from his uncle, while his flamenco guitars are similar to those of Francisco Simplicio (1874–1932), the legendary guitar maker from Catalonia. In 2017 José sat on the jury of the first Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition in Granada, the contest that carries his uncle’s name.