Official Luthiers Forum!

Just got back from Spain. We had a great time and saw many sights, but the highlight of the trip for me was a visit with Jose Romanillos in Siguenza and Guijosa, Spain. I had wanted to see the museum of the Spanish Guitar and Vihuela de Mano in Siguenza. I had no information on the days/hours that it was open. So Robbie O'Brien was kind enough to provide me with an email address for Jose Romanillos. Jose wrote back with the information and offered to provide us with a personal tour of the museum! I was geeked about that. Consequently, my friend, Dr. Julio Coca from Zaragoza, my brother Bill, my wife Becki, and I met Jose and his wife Marian at the museum last Saturday. Here we are with Jose and Marian at the museum.



Here is a picture of Jose showing us the relocated shop of Santos Hernandez inside the museum.



After the tour of the museum we went to Jose and Marian's home and Jose's shop in Guijosa. Here's a picture of us walking past their house and down the main street (Guijosa off-season population, 12).



Here we are in Jose's shop, where he is showing us some of his shop-built tools and templates and explaining their use.



We spent a good deal of time there talking about guitar-making in general, as well as some of his current projects.



Regarding his forthcoming book on guitar-building, he was picking up the (hopefully) final draft that day. He explained that getting a book published in Spain could be quite a hassle. So it was taking longer than expected. He said he would let me know when the book would be available.

All in all, an unforgettable and very inspiring experience for me. In addition to being one of the world's greatest guitar builders, Jose is one of the kindest and most generous people I have been privileged to meet.

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Wow!

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Max-

Check that off your bucket list! That is just awesome.

Plus great news the book is going to be available in the near future.


Thanks-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Always a treat to visit another luthier's shop. But someone of that caliber, you are lucky indeed. Thanks for sharing the photos.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Wow! Jealous.

Too cool, Max!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Wow! I'd have to tighten the laces to keep from jumping out of my shoes! Thanks for sharing with us, Max.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Bump

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I am so very happy for you! What a special happening.

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http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

So nice to see Jose' and Marian looking well.
I'm sure it was a great visit!
Best

I see he still has his old wooden planes. Good man!

how cool is that... brings back fond memories!

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

That had to be a truly wonderful trip. I watched Robbie O'Brien's videos of him interviewing Jose Romanillos and fell in love with the guy. He seems to be so personable. Congrats on a great experience, and thanks for sharing it with us.
Bob

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Bob
From the oldest town in Texas.

Something I forgot to mention - I asked if he was planning on giving more guitar building classes. He said that he was trying to set something up, but it was difficult. He did not elaborate on the difficulties. However, Marian did mention that they had a waiting list of about 30.

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Jose'
Has taught & shared so much to all who aspire to
make better guitars!
He's a blessing to all of us want to bees.
(sp)
Mike

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Mike Collins

Like several others on this forum, I was lucky enough to attend the course at Siguenza some years ago, if he does start again I'll probably try and go once more. He and Liam are great teachers, but the best part of the course was the exchange of ideas with all of the other great builders who attended, a great number of whom could probably have run courses themselves. but still wanted to learn from the great man. I believe David, Shawn and Joshua have all been and would attest to just what a great experience it was.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Awesome ! If you have more pictures - I am sure many of us would be interested in seeing them !

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

Max,

Glad to hear the trip to Sigüenza worked out. Those pics sure bring back many fond memories.