Meet the Maker: Josep Melo

by Mónica Esparza

Originally published in American Lutherie #120, 2014



We met in Sigúenza, Spain, in 2004. I had just arrived at the monastery to participate in my first guitar-making workshop with the great Maestro, José Romanillos. In came Josep, whom I confused for the ghost of Manuel Ramírez. He came directly to my bench and started to assist me. Everyone else thought that he came to me because I was the only woman there, but actually, the class was taught in English, and I was the only Spanish-speaking student. He is Catalan (from the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain), and speaks very little English.

During the two-week class, he carried a camera at all times, following José around, and photographing his every move. They are great friends and Josep was assisting with the workshop. He spent much of his time at my bench and I was very grateful for his help. Josep suggested I could return the favor by sweeping his Barcelona shop when I came for José’s class again the following year, and that’s exactly what I did. He said that this is what all new apprentices should do!