I am a big fan of the old masters but an important part of that is my respect for tradition.  My interest in historic instruments has helped me learn but I must admit I have learned so much more from makers here in Granada.  I have always maintained that there is a line from the spanish makers of the 18th and 19th century right up to Antonio Marin and Manuel Bellido as well as a lot of the other makers here in Granada.  My connection is that my teacher learned from both Manuel and Antonio.  Ever since Rolf’s death I have thought that I really should make a “hommage” model and try to get as close as I can to the guitars that Rolf made with that model.  Well, among the wood, tools, jigs and junk from his workshop there were quite a few guitar “parts”.    So my first “copies” of his guitar will be made with these parts, I will try to dig up some of his labels and put mine and his on the ones that reflect his work and mine.  My biggest challenge will be respecting  his aesthetic philosophy – Rolf studied industrial design and had a great eye for sober, function-driven aesthetics. In general I imagine that these guitars will sound quite similar to my concert model with the possible exception of the first one.  The top is already braced and glued to the neck, sides are bent and the back it braced too.  It will be interesting to compare it to one of his own guitars when I finish it. 

Rolf was neither overly modest nor was he any sort of divo but he did desire to be recognized for the work he was doing.  However, as he barely sold guitars in the U.S. and Japan his presence in publications and the internet was minimal.  I don’t see how I will come up with the time but I think that a plan of one of his guitars or a method based on his teachings would go over very well.