Classical Guitars

Tony Acosta had a dream to make the world’s finest classical guitar strings.  He began working nights to perfect his product and build relationships within the industry and slowly gathered the needed equipment. Several years later, when he quit his day job working for an airline, his friends thought he was crazy to leave before his retirement just five years away.  Tony wanted nothing more than to see his dream come true, so he took the risk and established the renowned Luthier Strings Company.  “You must follow your dreams” he said with a smile.   

David Bergstrom spent 10 years studying classical guitar, and even traveled to Spain to study under André Segovia. Upon returning to the United States, David found a career in the music products industry working for Kaman Music Corporation as the manager of artist relations - a job he kept for 18 years. After working with Kaman, David took his knowledge to Yamaha, where he worked as the Director of Marketing for about 15 years. David spent most of his retirement time playing and rediscovering old recordings that he made when he was studying under Segovia.

Hans Herb was a student at the school for instrument manufacturing in Bubenreuth. After completing his studies, he worked at Hoyer and Grüner, as well as Höfner before opening his own workshop. In the beginning, Hans focused on building lutes and later specialized in top quality guitars. His son, Alexander, joined him in 2001 and together they have built a reputation for excellent classical guitars that are handcrafted from start to finish.

Kiyokazu Ishibashi is proud to be in the music products industry and to follow the path of his father, who started the business following World War II. The music store was small in the beginning and in fact first carried sporting goods as well as musical instruments. When Kiyokazu was just 12 years old his father passed away and his mother began running the business. During his years as head of the business the number of locations has grown to 15 stores and includes a strong music lesson program as part of his business model to develop and encourage music makers.  

Rebecca Jasso was just ten when she began playing guitar, and right from the start making up songs came naturally to her. She developed both skills over the years, learning classical guitar while in high school and adding more structure to her songs. In 2011 she was hired to work in the music retail store within the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. She was later promoted to the store’s buyer, which was a real turning point for her. It was then that she realized it was more than a job to her, it was her career! In 2021 she was promoted to Store Manager but still serves as

Tsunesaburo Kurosawa had a deep passion for instrument building and became one of Japan’s leading classical guitar luthiers. The success of his guitars led him to establish a showcase for his instruments, and he soon opened his own shop in Tokyo. This achievement was followed by a second location. As sales increased, Kurosawa-san expanded his craftsmanship to include folk and even electric guitars to meet the growing demands of his customers.  

Dr. Alfio Leone was among the world’s best loved luthier of traditional Italian musical instruments. He learned his craft by years of studying the vintage instrument in the region of Sicily where he was born, established his factory, and where he passed away. In 1958 he changed the name of the company to Musikalia, where he worked day and night for many decades. “I’m not always sure which direction is home, after all I am in the shop from early until very early, but this is my life” he once said. Dr.

Matanya Ophee was born in Jerusalem at the time when it was Palestine.  He began playing guitar as a young boy and continued to play it as a hobby while he trained to be an airplane pilot.  He flew for the Israeli air force and later as a commercial pilot.  When he retired from flying, he established his own music publishing company as he had always been passionate about music.  His true love came in finding unpublished works of mostly unknown composers. He worked hard to bring those works to light, as he did with the music of François de Fossa.

Claire Petsch has enjoyed music for as long as she can remember. She took piano lessons beginning at age 7 but became enthralled with the guitar when she heard her cousin playing. Throughout college, she could be found in the Student Center singing and playing the guitar. She even learned classical guitar and provided lessons at a local music store, Sutherland’s House of Guitars in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that she met her husband, George, who too loved classical guitar and wanted nothing more than to provide lessons to other guitar lovers. Together they opened a small studi

Cecilia Rodrigo is the only daughter of famed Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.  In addition to her colorful life growing up in such a musical home, Cecilia’s passion for music led her to establish and run the music publishing company for her father’s music as well as a foundation dedicated to her parents with a focus on their love of inspiring music in others.  Her father focused on writing classical music for the guitar, which led to a long association with such legends as Andres Segovia, for whom Mr. Rodrigo wrote the concerto “Fantasia para un Gentilhombre.”

Agostinho Rodrigues, known by his nickname Tico, is the owner of Porto Guitarra which is located in the center of Porto, Portugal. Even though his education focused on being a mechanical engineer, he grew up playing and admiring the guitar. In fact, he was given his first guitar from an uncle when he was just a baby. As his passion for the traditional stringed instrument grew, he decided to learn how to make them from a well-known local violin luthier. He wanted to share his passion with others and eight years ago, along with his wife Cristina, he opened a small shop to sell and r

Manuel Rodriguez Jr. learned as his father did, the deep rooted tradition of building a classical guitar. He is very proud of his father and grandfather, as well as the time-honored craftsmanship and skills required to make a fine Rodriguez instrument. Unlike so many others consumed by the traditions, Manuel has developed technological advances to successfully promote the products with updated web site postings, email newsletters and regular updates to his customers around the world.  

Manuel Rodriguez Sr. was very proud of his ancestry as a classical guitar luthier in the deep tradition of his native Spain. With honor, pride and passion, the art and craftsmanship has been handed down from his father and in turn he has taught the skills to his son, Manuel Rodriguez Jr., the current president of Guitars Rodriguez. In 1905, Manuel Senior’s father opened a small shop after years as a repair man. The reputation of the instruments has covered the globe, a source of pride for Manuel.  

Pepe Romero Sr. speaks very eloquently of his passion for music because it is, as he says, part of his blood stream.  Music has always been a part of his life and he takes great pride in his musical history.  His father was a classical guitarist and composer and along with his brother, Celin, Pepe has traveled around the world for over 50 years playing guitar.

Celin Romero and his younger brother, Pepe Sr., have performed together as a classical guitar duo for over fifty years.  They have recorded acclaimed albums and performed around the world, becoming a renowned and pioneering musical treasure.  The brothers were born in Malaga, Spain to the classical composer and musician, Celedonio Romero (1913-1996).  Among the material the brothers have recorded over the years is a long list of their father’s works including “Noche en Malaga” and “Guitarras del Museo: Para Quintarra y Orquesta,” which Celedonio composed in 1987.

Pepe Romero Jr literally grew up surrounded by guitars. As part of the Romero family, Pepe was exposed to classic guitars and music from the time he was born. While he learned to play at a young age, as a teenager, Pepe found his true passion in the instruments themselves. After completing his first guitar with Dake Traphagen in 1997, Pepe was hooked. With his father using Pepe’s guitars in concerts and providing feedback, Pepe has been able to refine his guitars and develop into one the top master builders today. With great success, Pepe has also taken on the unique challenge of

Harry Rosenbloom was the founder of Medley Music and one of the true pioneers of import relations with the Japanese beginning in the late 1950s. He developed and maintained key partnerships with the Japanese suppliers and was one of the first advocates for better trade relations between the United States and Japan. The Ibanez guitar line was just one of the successful results of his partnerships. Harry was the father of Gerson Rosenbloom, the second president of Medley Music and a NAMM Past President. Gerson closed Medley Music in December 2008.  

Joachim Schneider proudly continues in the family tradition of hand crafted instrument making. His great grandfather was a violin builder as was his grandfather. His grandfather and father also became guitar luthiers. Joachim was taught by his grandfather and specialized in building professional level classical guitars. He took over the shop when his grandfather passed away in 1962 and soon fostered relationships with distributors who brought Joachim’s instruments into the global market. Since this time he has handed down the craft of instrument making to his two sons.  

Adrian Smale grew up in a very musical home. His mother played and taught piano while his father played the violin. He witnessed firsthand the joy music can bring a person’s life and, years later, played a vital role in doing just that while working in music retail. As a classical guitarist, Adrian developed a keen understanding of the guitar and used that knowledge when he landed a retail job. He was involved with the music industry from 1975 to 2011.  This video segment from his NAMM Oral History interview covers  the period from 1995-2005.

Mirek Jaromir Strizka opened a musical wholesale business in the early 1960s and named it European Craft. The company began as the young Czech immigrant established a business in Los Angeles, California, selling one instrument, the harmonica. He wore out his car traveling the country and establishing dealers. He found the business very difficult and considered switching to another industry many times. Then, just like that, the Beatles came to America in 1964. Mirek’s business was established and ready to meet the high demands of product requests.

Arturo Valdez was known around the world as the “guitar repairman to the stars.” With his shop located on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, California, Arturo worked on thousands of guitars, many legendary in the history of rock and roll. He opened his shop in the early 1960s and soon had customers such as John Lennon, Eric Clapton and John Denver. Over the years Arturo also created his own brand of guitars and became a sought-after luthier as well. Beginning in the 1980s he designed his own line of classical and Flamenco guitars, which have been sold around the world. 

Manuel Velazquez was one of the greatest guitar luthiers of the last one hundred years. He was born in Puerto Rico in 1917 and handcrafted his first classical guitar when he was still a teenager in 1929. He studied the art of guitar making from his older brother and the importance of woods from his father, who was a farmer. By 1941 Manuel moved to New York where he opened his first shop. Before long his instruments gained the attention of performers around the world. Among those who sought out and played Manuel’s guitars was Andre Segovia, the premier classical guitarist in the wo

Stéphane Wrembel was born and raised not far from where the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt once lived. He feels this proximity played a significant part in his profound connection with Django, although the two musicians never met. Beginning as a child, Stéphane loved music, learning the piano and guitar and being influenced by Pink Floyd, among other iconic rock bands. While learning the blues, he discovered the delicate nuances of Django’s musicianship and simple yet intricate compositions. On his quest to learn all he could about this magical musician, Stéphane met Django’

Andrew York has a powerful way of expressing himself, by using his words and his music. With his articulate delivery, he provides a special insight into the drive of playing and composing the music that is within him. It’s that inner drive that has given all of us works such as “Sunburst,” “Evening Dance,” “Lullaby” and “Marley‘s Ghost.” As a classical guitarist and composer, Andrew has toured the world. He has had his music performed by many of his musical heroes (John Williams among them), won a Grammy for his work with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and continues to write, perf