Francisco Vico Molina was my friend. We would call each other up to talk about building. We would complain about the market and how difficult we found that aspect of this work. He came to Granada a few times and we had lunch together. I visited him in his workshop too.  The last time we spoke I promised to send him some details of an antique guitar which I had measured and photographed. That was before my holidays and when I got back I learned that he was gone. I always say that guitar-makers tend to work until their final days and I think that is the way to go.  I guess it’s just that 66 seems too young to go. Rest in peace.

Lisa Hurlong is an institution here in Granada. She has sold us wood, stings, saddle blanks, tap plates and has brought clients to us by the hundreds. Once again we have Vicente Coves to thank for a much needed celebration of her work and her person. It took the form of a concert by Bill Kanengiser which was great. He played some pieces from his Diaspora Project which you can read about here. As you might expect I saw quite a few other builders there as we all know Lisa. I went with a guitar-playing friend and after hearing “Ode to Whiskey” we were inspired to go get ourselves a glass of wine.

You may know Kenneth Brögger from his other books or from the guitars he makes. I was happy to receive this book and am looking forward to reading about his story in this new book. I have known Kenneth for over 20 years when he visited my shop while in Granada to visit Antonio Marín. He has visited Granada many times since then and he and Judith often drop in to see me. You can order the book here.

Last night I attended a memorial concert to Antonio Raya Pardo who passed away two months ago. Vicente Coves is to be congratulated for this very moving event which brought together many of the local makers to remember one of the Granada greats. Antonio was one of the founding members of the Escuela Granadina and contributed greatly to Granada’s fame as a guitar-making centre. As always Luis Mariano was brilliant and humble as he remembered his friend.

A new customer took possession of his new guitar yesterday. Just as many of my customers this is a conservatory student who is beginning his final phase of studies. My concert model is the usually the first choice of these students. In this case I made a special rosette and the client chose Pagos tuners.