2018 Mario Aracama SP/AR

This pre-owned 2018 Mario Aracama classical guitar has an aged, quartersawn European spruce top and dark African rosewood back and sides, built in Granada, Spain.

Aged Spruce and Dark African Rosewood

An aged European spruce top, perfectly quartersawn, with a reddish color, and a sober, dark set of African rosewood for the back and sides. The top has five fan struts with a bar underneath the bridge saddle. Ebony fingerboard, cedar neck. Tuning machines are the "Luxury Hauser" model with rosewood buttons made by Rubner.

Sound

It responds in a friendly way – immediate but never harsh – with a velvety, full sound and a lovely range of colors under the right hand. Basses are deep, trebles firm and clear, and it is very comfortable for both hands. A charming, traditional guitar full of Spanish character.

Condition

Although a used guitar, it is in excellent condition, with only some wear in the finish and a hairline crack (repaired with glue only) in one of the sides.

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.