2026 Gao Yi "Flamenco Blanca" No. 152 SP/CY

Built in 2026 by Chinese luthier Gao Yi in Shanghai, this beautiful flamenco blanca, with a spruce top and cypress back and sides, was made specifically for GSI and follows very closely the design and construction of the instrument with which he won First Prize at the prestigious VII Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition, held in Granada, Spain, in 2024. We were enormously impressed with that award-winning guitar, so naturally we’re delighted to have another example built to essentially the same specifications.

Rooted in the Granada School

Gao is a highly accomplished maker whose work is deeply rooted in the Granada school of guitar making. He studied with Antonio Marín and René Baarslag in Granada, and earlier with Juan Labella in Beijing, who was himself trained in the Granada tradition. These influences are especially evident in his flamenco guitars, which are built very much in the traditional Spanish style.

Spruce, Cypress and Snakewood

This instrument features a spruce soundboard with cypress back and sides, finished in traditional French polish. One difference from the 2024 winner is the bracing: this guitar has five fans, where the competition guitar used the traditional seven-fan system Gao learned from René Baarslag. The workmanship is exceptionally clean and precise throughout, with a striking visual character that sets it apart from more conventional flamenco blancas. Particularly noteworthy is the extensive use of snakewood, including the wide center strip running the full length of the back, the headstock veneer, bindings and decorative inlays. The effect is both distinctive and elegant, giving the guitar a very unified appearance. His headstock design draws inspiration from both Antonio Marín and Antonio de Torres, while retaining a character that is recognizably his own.

A Rosette Inspired by Chinese Window Grilles

The rosette is another particularly fascinating feature. Its intricate geometric patterns are inspired by traditional Chinese window grilles, combined with elements of Japanese Hakone Yosegi Zaiku, a highly refined form of decorative wood mosaic. The result is a beautiful fusion of Eastern decorative traditions with the unmistakable aesthetic of the Spanish guitar. Gao’s own plantilla is equally thoughtful, with graceful curves and carefully considered proportions designed to complement the contours of the player’s body, providing both visual elegance and playing comfort.

Sound: Explosive, Dry and Raspy

In terms of sound, this guitar is every bit as impressive as the 2024 competition winner. It has an explosive, almost bullet-like attack, a wonderfully dry and raspy voice, and that unmistakable percussive “bark” that defines a great traditional flamenco blanca. The response is immediate and effortless, with tremendous clarity and separation between notes, and a lively, energetic character that makes it a joy to play. It has the raw, earthy quality that one associates with the finest Granada-style flamencos, yet possesses the refinement and versatility to work equally well for solo playing or accompaniment. It’s quite remarkable how convincingly Spanish this guitar sounds and feels.

The Label

Gao’s label carries the emblem of the VII Antonio Marín Montero competition – “Guitarra Flamenca, 1, Primer Premio, 2024” and “Finalista, Guitarra Clásica” – and is signed, dated October 2026 and numbered 152.

What makes Gao’s work particularly appealing is the way he combines the best elements of traditional Spanish guitar making with his own distinctive artistic sensibility. The result is an instrument that is firmly grounded in the Granada tradition, yet unmistakably the work of an individual maker with a unique aesthetic vision. This is an exceptional flamenco guitar by any standard, and a wonderful follow-up to his award-winning 2024 instrument.

Photos of this guitar taken during construction

Gao Yi: From Concert Guitarist to Guitar Maker

Gao Yi’s background with the classical guitar goes back many years, when his interest as a player earned him music degrees from both Jining University and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. He also earned top prizes in several competitions, including first prize in the 2000 Chinese Guitar Competition, and as a player he has taught out of his own studio in Shanghai. His interest in guitar making was sparked in 2002 while working for Yamaha in the marketing division.

Trained in the Granada School

His experience playing the guitars of Antonio Marín Montero led him to embrace the Granada style. Indeed, he traveled several times to Granada to receive advice and support from Antonio Marín himself, and to study with René Baarslag in his workshop just outside Granada. Years before, he had also studied in Beijing with Juan Labella, another Granada luthier.

First Prize in Granada

After several years of working at his craft, Gao Yi was awarded first prize for his flamenco guitar at the prestigious VII Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition, held in Granada, Spain, in July/August 2024. His classical guitar also made it as a finalist. We are very pleased to have met this very fine maker, and look forward to seeing many more of his guitars in the future.