2026 Otto Vowinkel "3a" SP/IN

This 2026 Otto Vowinkel “3a” is a spruce and Indian rosewood classical guitar for students, made in Spain to the design of the Amsterdam luthier.

Otto Vowinkel’s Entry-Level Model

This model is the entry-level guitar designed by Otto Vowinkel of Amsterdam. It is easy to play with a full, bright sound. It is constructed using only solid materials, and is built in Spain under Otto’s oversight.

Inspired by the Guitars of Granada

The design is based on Otto’s standard concert model, which shows a preference for the southern Spanish style – most recognizably that of Granada, where the guitars have a lightweight, bouncy feel, with quick response and plenty of volume. An excellent choice for the beginning to intermediate student looking for a high-quality, well-built Spanish-made guitar.

Note: Stock photos may be used for this model listing. The exact guitar pictured may no longer be available, and may differ slightly from current inventory. Please contact us with any questions.

Otto Vowinkel: Classical Guitar Maker in Amsterdam

Otto Vowinkel grew up in a family of tailors in the old center of Amsterdam. He came to the guitar as a player, and in 1984 – with no teacher, a few basic tools and Irving Sloane’s book Classical Guitar Construction – he built his first guitar in the attic of his house. He learned by showing each new guitar to every guitarist he could find and building the next one with their comments in mind.

Traditional Spanish Building and French Polish

In 1989 Otto met his future wife, the Dutch guitarist Esther Steenbergen, and the Andalusia-based Dutch maker Alex van der Horst (“Alejandro”, 1959–2009), with whom he worked regularly and shared his ideas about the ideal guitar: a flexible tone, a quick response, and quality of sound as the carrier of volume. Otto builds in the traditional way and is a specialist in French polish, on which he now gives lectures and workshops. His rosettes carry the colors of the flag of Amsterdam.

Concert Guitars and Student Models

Besides his concert classical guitars, Otto makes flamenco guitars, quart guitars and fifth-bass (baritone) guitars. He has also designed student models that are handmade in small workshops in Spain under his supervision. You can read more in our article on Otto Vowinkel.