2005 José Marín Plazuelo "Bouchet" SP/CSAR

This 2005 José Marín Plazuelo "Bouchet" is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar built in Granada, Spain, with no repairs or damage.

One of Granada’s Most Consistent Guitar Makers

José is, for us, one of the finest and most consistent makers anywhere at this level of price. The tonal qualities of his guitars stand out, the workmanship shows great attention to detail, and they are just plain fun to play.

The "Bouchet" Model and the Under-Bridge Brace

Nearly identical to the guitar made by his well-known uncle, Antonio Marín Montero, José’s "Bouchet" combines a lighter 5-fan bracing system with an "under bridge" brace. That pairing increases the top’s flexibility without giving up structural stability; when done properly (as in this Marín/Plazuelo system), dynamic range and tone modulation increase greatly. First used by the French luthier Robert Bouchet – friend, colleague and collaborator of Antonio Marín – it is regarded by many as one of the great innovations of the 20th century.

Playability and Condition

Playability is a dream. The materials are superb too, with a colorful set of CSA rosewood for the back and sides. Condition is excellent – only some minor wear in the finish, with no repairs or damage. A guitar by one of the top Spanish luthiers, and 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.