2015 German Vázquez Rubio "Solista" No. 41815 CD/IN

This 2015 German Vázquez Rubio “Solista” No. 41815 is a classical guitar with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Los Angeles, California – his concert model with the bracing of his elite guitars.

German’s “Solista” Model

German developed the “Solista” to bring the bracing of his top, elite models to a concert guitar of simpler design. Its effect is a fuller tone – especially in the trebles – and a warm sound across the whole register. To keep the design simple without lowering the standard of sound, German uses Indian rosewood for the back and sides rather than more exotic woods, lacquers the back and sides while French polishing the top, and keeps the inlay work less ornate.

Playing It

It is very easy to play, with a smooth, comfortable neck, and powerful enough for the concert stage, whether solo or in an ensemble. Its “Desde 1968” label carries German’s signature, the year 2015 and No. 41815. Versatile and strong, it is a fine concert guitar 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.