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The Spanish luthier Angel Benito Aguado was
born in Madrid in 1949, and began working as carpenter when he was but a
boy, learning the fundamentals of working with wood. At 12, he
built his first guitar, though he admits it was a poor affair. By the time
he was twenty-five, however, he had become a professional maker. For many
years Angel collaborated with the celebrated Spanish maestro, Jose Miguel
Moreno, building for him and the ancient music ensembles he directs a
variety of historical plucked stringed instruments: vihuelas, baroque
guitars, lutes, theorbos, and romantic period guitars. He continues to build
such historical instruments, as well as concert classical guitars by
hand using traditional methods and designs. Although he has drunk
deeply from the Madrid school well, he does not build the large bodied
guitars associated with the Madrid school. Rather, although they are not
copies, his guitars are inspired by those of Antonio Torres (1817-1892) and show exquisite workmanship,
are wonderfully playable, and possess a rich, refined tone. |