2013 German Vázquez Rubio "Solista" No. 92813 SP/IN

This 2013 German Vázquez Rubio “Solista” No. 92813 is a classical guitar with a spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Los Angeles, California – custom built with French polish throughout and a 660mm string length.

The “Solista”: Elite Bracing in a Concert Model

Called the “Solista”, this concert model features German’s newest bracing system, which had previously only been used in his top, elite models. This bracing system fattens out the tone, particularly in the trebles, giving the guitar an overall warmer sound. This guitar was custom built with French polish throughout, while keeping the model’s simpler design – Indian rosewood for the back and sides in place of more exotic woods, and less ornate inlay work.

Playability and Condition

Playability is a breeze, with a very smooth and comfortable neck, and the guitar has enough power for any concert setting – in ensemble or solo. The string length is a long 660mm, with a 53mm nut. Although used, it is in great shape, with just some mild playing wear. German’s label – “Constructor, Desde 1968” – is signed, dated 2013 and numbered 92813. All in, this is a very versatile and strong instrument by any standard.

German Vázquez Rubio: Early Years in Paracho, Mexico

German Vázquez Rubio (also known as G.V. Rubio) has been making guitars since 1968 – over fifty years – and has developed his own signature sound that guitarists have come to love. He was born in 1952 in Paracho, Mexico, where there is an abundance of fine luthiers (with few exceptions, all of the finest guitars in Mexico come from Paracho). German’s first formal training began at eleven years old, when he left school to help support his seven siblings and went to work in the workshop of his uncle, Manuel Rubio. There, even at his young age, he made a conscious effort to make guitar building his life’s work.

“Desde 1968”

In 1968, at the age of sixteen, he made his first concert-level guitar (hence his label reads “Desde 1968”). German has since been able to learn from many different master builders such as Félix Manzanero, José Romanillos and Thomas Humphrey. He now resides in Los Angeles, California, where he builds a variety of both classical and flamenco models. He is also the maker of the real-life guitar from the Disney/Pixar film Coco – you can read more in our article on German Vázquez Rubio and the real Coco guitar.

First Prize in Mexico

In 2000, German won First Place at the Concurso Nacional de Constructores y Ejecutantes de Guitarras, Mexico’s national guitar-making competition.