Posted on April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 by Dale Phillips Remembering Julian Bream Remembering Julian Bream by Cyndy Burton, José Romanillos, R.E. Bruné, Jeffrey R. Elliott, Kevin Aram, Gary Southwell, and Simon Ambridge Originally published in American Lutherie #142, 2021 Julian Bream was born on July 15, 1933, and died on August 14, 2020, one month after his 87th birthday. The accolades that followed were online and in print everywhere, and were consistently filled with superlatives praising his genius as a classical guitarist, his tireless commissioning and presentation of new guitar repertoire from notable contemporary composers, and his teaching and creating opportunities for the next generation of classical guitarists. But commonly overlooked in descriptions of Julian Bream’s achievements in his long career, are the fruits of his relationships with the handful of classical guitar makers he chose to build for him. He sought the best classical guitars possible to serve his musical purposes and, at the same time, inspired their makers to improve their art and craft. We are fortunate that those luthiers are represented here, and that they’ve offered memories of their interactions with Julian Bream. — Cyndy Burton Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on March 25, 2026March 25, 2026 by Dale Phillips 1930 Santos Hernández Guitar with Segovia’s Autograph 1930 Santos Hernández Guitar with Segovia’s Autograph by Jeffrey R. Elliott Originally published in American Lutherie #115, 2013 A few years ago, after I had all but ceased accepting repairs in order to concentrate on my own commissions, I was asked to do a repair that I just couldn’t turn down. The owner had inherited a 1930 Santos Hernández classical guitar, which hadn’t been played in decades, and wanted to put it on the market. Universally recognized as one of the most revered of Spanish makers (so much so that he is simply referred to as “Santos”), Santos Hernández has long been one of my heroes of lutherie, and as I was confident that I could do what it needed, I gladly accepted. Santos Rodríguez Hernández (1874–1943) began building guitars in 1890, apprenticed to Valentín Viudes, and in 1895 joined the workshop of Manuel Ramírez where he refined his craft alongside Manuel for twenty-one years, and eventually became foreman. When Manuel died in 1916, Santos ran the workshop for Manuel’s widow for another five years. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on June 23, 2025June 23, 2025 by Dale Phillips In Memoriam: David Rodgers In Memoriam: David Rodgers by Jeffrey R. Elliott October 14, 1933 – November 28, 2024 Originally published in American Lutherie #154, 2025 Photo by Cyndy Burton. When I met Julian Bream in 1975, I was also introduced to his wonderful 1973 José Romanillos guitar which sported one of the first sets of Rodgers tuners ever made. I immediately recognized their superior quality and elegant aesthetic — they looked to me more like exceptionally beautiful and functional jewelry than tuning machines. David Rodgers had just established a new standard of quality in tuning machines, which remains unsurpassed today. He recognized that a set of tuners must not only perform well, but was also integral to the guitar’s aesthetic, and should complement it. In 2010, my partner, Cyndy Burton, and I spent three days as guests of David and his wife, Muriel, in their home/workshop near Kirby Muxloe, England. David and Muriel were most welcoming and gracious hosts, and during that time Cyndy and I interviewed them for an in-depth “Meet the Maker” article, which appeared in AL#109, Spring 2012. While there we also met their likewise very talented son, Rob, and his wife, Sue, who soon afterward immigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, where they continue the family business today. Rodgers tuners have graced the heads of our guitars ever since I saw that first set on Bream’s Romanillos, and we became friends with David and Muriel early on. Since our 2010 visit, Rob and Sue have joined our circle, but, sadly, Muriel passed away in 2020. David was a true gentleman, and a brilliant, talented engineer/inventor with a ready sense of humor, and we will miss him dearly. ◆
Posted on April 23, 2025June 20, 2025 by Dale Phillips What is the Flamenco Guitar? What is the Flamenco Guitar? by Richard Bruné, Eugene Clark, and John Park, with moderator and organizer Jeffrey Elliott from their 2006 GAL Convention panel discussion Originally published in American Lutherie #97, 2009 Jeffrey Elliott: Our panelists are all esteemed flamenco guitar makers and accomplished flamenco players. I’ll begin by asking each of them to answer a single big question: What is the flamenco guitar? Richard Bruné: Here’s a little quiz. These pictures (below) show three guitars by Domingo Esteso, illuminated from the inside so we can see the bracing pattern. Would anybody venture a guess, according to conventional wisdom, which is the flamenco guitar? The one on the left is a 1932 with rosewood sides and back. In the middle is a 1936; it’s part of my collection. And the one on the right (also far right) is the flamenco guitar, La Maravilla, which was made for Ramón Montoya. It actually has very high action, almost like a classical guitar. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
Posted on July 16, 2024June 10, 2025 by Dale Phillips In Memoriam: Kent Rayman In Memoriam: Kent Rayman August 22, 1949 — May 16, 2024 by Jeffrey R. Elliott Originally published in American Lutherie #152, July 2024 From 1973 through 1976 my shop was in downtown Portland, Oregon, where I had four full-time apprentices building and repairing guitars. One day in 1975 Kent Rayman walked in, introduced himself, and asked if he could interview me for the Guild of American Luthiers Quarterly newsletter. I did not know of the Guild yet, so this was my introduction; a fortuitous day for me if ever there was one. All photos courtesy of Jeffrey R. Elliott. With our common interest and passion for instrument making we became friends, and two years later, Kent began a two-year apprenticeship with me. It was during this time that Gary Bennett, a dear friend of Kent’s, began his comic strip “Kent ’n’ Jeff,” which ran in the GAL Quarterly for a time. Not only was Kent an adept student, but he brought with him a knowledge of machinery and jig making that benefited the shop — I’m primarily a hand-tool worker, so there was also something of an exchange, where the student teaches the teacher. We kept in touch over the years, which spanned several shops for Kent. An early one was shared with fellow luthier Christopher Burt, and together they developed the Oregon Bass, a full-scale upright electric solidbody instrument, complete with an end pin. Around that time, Kent also became an authorized Martin repair center, something he took great satisfaction in. Kent never lost his interest and love for instrument making, and in later years enjoyed teaching woodworking and the use of power tools to others, whether or not in the trade. I’ll remember Kent most for his thoughtful, careful way of working, his calmness in all situations, his reverence for the planet and all life, and his ready sense of humor. — Jeffrey R. Elliott
