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Born in Madrid, Spain, in
1949, the luthier Angel Benito Aguado began to work as a
carpenter, learning the fundamentals of wood working when he was but a young
boy. At age 12, he built his first guitar (though he admits it was a poor affair). However, by the time he was
twenty-five, he had established himself as professional guitar 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 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 handmade
classical guitars
are inspired by those of Antonio Torres (1817-1892) and show exquisite
workmanship, are wonderfully playable, and possess a rich, refined tone.
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