2022 Mario Aracama SP/IN

This 2022 Mario Aracama classical guitar was our first from Mario combining a European spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides, built near Granada, Spain.

Our First Aracama in Spruce and Indian Rosewood

A beautiful instrument with European spruce for the soundboard and a lovely set of Indian rosewood for the back and sides – our first from Mario with this gorgeous wood combination. Ebony fingerboard and cedar neck, with a rosette and purflings designed especially for these woods.

Doubled Sides, Light Feel

As he has done in the past, Mario doubled the sides with 1.3 mm of cypress on the interior for added rigidity, giving more power and focus to every note. The guitar nevertheless keeps a lightweight feel, which helps responsiveness and ease of play, particularly for the right hand.

Sound

Friendly and responsive, with an immediate but not harsh attack and a velvety, full sound; colors change with the slightest move of the right hand. Deep basses and thick, rich trebles with great clarity between voices. Very comfortable for both hands – full of Spanish character.

Photos taken during construction

Mario Aracama: From London to Granada

Mario Aracama became captivated with the guitar at an early age and, while living in England, decided to become a luthier, attending Guildhall University in London. There he graduated in Musical Instrument Technology, specializing in traditional classical and flamenco guitars under the tutelage of David Whiteman. In 2003 he relocated to Granada, Spain, where he learned further from Antonio Marín Montero.

The Granada School and the Torres Tradition

In the following years Mario enjoyed a fruitful exchange of ideas with his friends Michael Ritchie and Jose Vigil, which has also influenced his style. True to the Granada aesthetic, Mario builds a light and vibrant instrument with lightly braced tops, based in the great Spanish tradition in the line of Torres. Every guitar built by Mario features a different, original – but very traditional and tasteful – design.

A Workshop in the Alpujarra Mountains

Today Mario lives and builds in the beautiful Alpujarra mountains near Granada. GSI is proud to be Mario's exclusive dealer in the USA.