2026 Wolfgang Jellinghaus "Espanola 1a" CD/AR

This 2026 Wolfgang Jellinghaus "Espanola 1a" is a cedar and African rosewood classical guitar modeled on the guitars of José Ramírez III, made in China and available in the USA exclusively at GSI.

A Tribute to José Ramírez III

This is Wolfgang Jellinghaus' tribute to José Ramírez III, one of the most innovative luthiers of the 20th century. As we've mentioned in the past, these Ramírez III guitars were played by guitarists of all genres – from Sting to Segovia, Chet Atkins to Sabicas, Lee Ritenour to Christopher Parkening and countless others.

Cedar Top, Cypress Linings and Ramírez Bracing

José III was the first to popularize the use of cedar for soundboards in the mid-1960s, and made many innovations to the body of the guitar, including the practice of lining the sides internally with cypress. Wolfgang has copied these details, as well as the 6-bar asymmetrical fan system (with a diagonal "treble-stiffener" bar), to re-create that haunting, very deep, mysterious "Spanish" sound that has given these guitars their timeless appeal to guitarists of all stripes for over half a century.

Sound and Playability

As with all of Wolfgang's guitars, it is incredibly easy to play, thanks to the sleek, easy neck shape and easy action for the left hand. Overall a very impressive concert guitar, and a meticulously well-produced tribute to one of history's most iconic makers.

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.

A Guitar Maker's Son from Dortmund

Wolfgang Jellinghaus (1951–2024) was born in Dortmund, Germany. His father, Walter Jellinghaus, was himself a guitar maker and naturally introduced the craft to Wolfgang at a young age. In 1978, Wolfgang began managing his family's retail music shop, Musik Jellinghaus GmbH, and in 1983 he created Martinez Guitars, designing their first line of guitars.

Replicas of Torres, Lacote, Hauser and Ramírez

In 2013, he set up an independent workshop in China, building guitars under the name "Milestones of Music": a small, traditional boutique workshop that specialized in making high-quality guitars in the style of such great historical makers as Lacote, Antonio de Torres, Hauser and Ramírez, among others. He later developed a new line of instruments under his own name, and with Edmund Blöchinger he refined many of his replicas and established the La Cañada line.

Exclusive to GSI in the USA

GSI is proud to be the exclusive U.S. dealer for Wolfgang Jellinghaus guitars, one of the most popular lines we've ever carried. Since Wolfgang's passing in 2024, the successors of his business have carried on the work he established (read our tribute).