2016 Manuel Adalid "Torres Especial" SP/AR

Spanish luthier Manuel Adalid was born in Valencia in 1951, the son of Manuel Adalid Lazaro (b. 1923), one of the founding members of Guitarras Francisco Esteve (est. 1957). Having grown up in a guitar making environment and eventually apprenticing during his summers, Manuel did a degree in business at the University of Valencia, studying business administration. He later opened a guitar distributorship but after five years decided to return to the Esteve workshop to dedicate himself to guitar construction. Under the guidance of his father and Don Antonio Monfort, he became a master luthier. In 1980 when the founding partners of Esteve reached retirement age, Manuel was asked to take over the management of the firm. Manuel built the workshop into a successful enterprise, employing 55 people. The Council of Commerce and Industry of the government of Valencia conferred upon him the title of "Master Artisan". Additionally he was elected Vice President of the Spanish Guild of Master Guitar Artisans, as well as President of the Spanish Association of Musical Instrument Makers. In recent years, Manuel has taught at guitar making workshops in Spain, France, China and Argentina. He currently builds a variety of models under his own name.