2026 Julia Wenzel "640" CD/IN

This 2026 Julia Wenzel "640" is a cedar and Indian rosewood classical guitar made in Munich, Germany, by the Granada 2017 prize-winner for whom GSI is the exclusive US dealer.

Julia Wenzel and the Miguel Rodríguez Tradition

Julia builds in the traditional Spanish style and, if anything, her sound and feel resemble the guitars from the Miguel Rodríguez shop, particularly from the 1960s, for looseness, warmth and responsiveness – but at the same time they are fused with her natural, innate Germanic sensitivities when it comes to balance and separation. This is due in part to her slightly lighter bracing system, with asymmetrical fans and a treble stiffener.

Sound and Playability

The result is a fast, immediate attack followed by a lovely and full, harmonically rich quality of sound in every note. It has plenty of power for any concert situation and plays with ease – extremely responsive to the right hand, with a nice, smooth neck shape for the left hand and larger frets, which many players feel improve speed, accuracy and glissandi.

Julia's Personal Style

Aesthetically, she has developed a lovely personal style in several ways – we love her elegant plantilla, which favors a more "rounded" shape, and her use of darker hues in the finish and in the green inlay work (and label design). Overall a fantastic instrument in every way, perfectly suited to any professional setting, whether it be the recording studio or the concert stage.

Photos of this guitar taken during construction

Julia Wenzel: Classical Guitar Maker in Munich

Julia Wenzel found out relatively late about her true passion – building guitars. At the age of 25 she decided to build a cedarwood canoe, and while doing so she realized her magnificent talent in woodworking. During the process she saw a similarity to how one would build a lute or guitar. Attracted to guitars all her life, she knew that to learn the technical details of the craft properly she would need to study at the Instrumentenbauschule Mittenwald – a three-year commitment, which she made, graduating at the top of her class. Six years later she completed her Master of Crafts examination in Munich, where she lives and works.

Working with the Blöchingers

Julia also befriended Florian Blöchinger, and the two built four guitars together in an apprenticeship in Munich. She has also had the great fortune to receive advice from Florian's father, the legendary luthier Edmund Blöchinger. GSI is proud to be Julia's exclusive dealer in the USA.

Prize Winner in Granada

After several years of working at her craft, Julia was awarded second prize (shared with Oscar Muñoz) at the first Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Building Competition, held in Granada, Spain, in October 2017.