2017 German Vázquez Rubio "Solista 640" No. 20917 CD/IN

This 2017 German Vázquez Rubio “Solista 640” No. 20917 is a classical guitar with a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Los Angeles, California – the 640mm version of his concert model with elite bracing.

German’s “Solista” Model

The heart of the “Solista” is its bracing – the same system German had until then reserved for his top, elite models. Its effect is a fuller tone – especially in the trebles – and a warm sound across the whole register. The Solista keeps the sound of the elite models with a simpler design: Indian rosewood back and sides in place of rarer, more exotic woods, a French-polished top over lacquered back and sides, and less elaborate inlay.

Playing It

The neck is smooth and comfortable, so it plays with ease, and it has the power for any concert setting, solo or in ensemble. It also has a 20th fret for a high C natural. The string length is a slightly shorter 640mm. Its “Desde 1968” label carries German’s signature, the year 2017 and No. 20917; “Solista, 640” is written beside the number. 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.