Antonio Marin Montero, Spain
Recently retired, Antonio Marín Montero was born in Granada in 1933. No one in his family
had any background in the guitar world. Before he became a guitar maker
he had to overcome many hardships. He worked first in a number of
different marquetry workshops. Starting when he was only a few years
old, he worked in Francisco Moya's workshop. Later, based on his
superior skill with the gouge, Marin was hired by Recaredo Veredas.
Antonio
Marín keeps in mind a sentence that Domigo Prat, one of the main
disciples of the great Spanish guitarist Miguel Llobet, wrote in his
dictionary about the Spanish guitar: "The guitar is one of the best and
most beautiful instruments of the world, with different nuances and
sonorities that grant independenc[e] to the guitar." Marin's concert guitars are a unique musical blend of Northern European and Spanish guitar making traditions.
Antonio
Marin is a direct disciple of the great Parisian master guitar maker,
Robert Bouchet. After visiting the French master in 1977, they became
close friends. To this day Marin uses Bouchet's templates and
incorporates his mentor's techniques into his own elegant work. Due to
Marín's love of perfection, many young, aspiring guitar makers visit his
workshop each year to learn from this great master the magic which he
instills into his ancient art. Among his many disciples are his nephew,
José Marín Plazuelo, and José González López, both of whom work beside
him in his workshop.
The fame of Antonio Marín and his master
guitars extends over five continents. He has been honored by visits from
many of the world's most prestigious performers and teachers both from
the classical and flamenco world, many of whom perform and record with
his wonderful guitars.
Each year, six days a week Antonio Marin
spends many long hours in his shop meticulously crafting a small number
of elegant concert guitars. Since he only works on commission, the
demand for his instruments so great, and his output so small, his
customers must wait many months to receive one of his beautiful guitars.