Jose Luis Romanillos (Spain)

José Romanillos is a highly respected Spanish-born guitar maker, renowned for his traditional craftsmanship and exceptional classical guitars. Born in 1936 in Madrid, Spain, he moved to England in the early 1960s, where he would become one of the most influential figures in the world of guitar making.

Romanillos was greatly influenced by the traditional Spanish guitar-making methods, particularly those of the famous 19th-century luthier Antonio Torres. His guitars are known for their superb tonal qualities, elegance, and meticulous attention to detail. He spent much of his life studying and refining the techniques of the old masters, which led to his developing a distinctive voice in the world of guitar making.

His work gained widespread recognition after he was introduced to the legendary English guitarist Julian Bream in 1973. Bream, who was in search of a new guitar at the time, played and later commissioned a guitar from Romanillos, marking the beginning of their collaboration.

The guitar created in 1973 became highly regarded not only for its superb craftsmanship but also for its rich, powerful sound that suited Bream’s playing style. This instrument solidified Romanillos' reputation as one of the premier guitar makers of his time.