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The Spanish luthier Juan Montero Aguilera was born in
Marchena, (Sevilla) in 1929. Like many
guitar makers, Juan Montero Aguilera and his brother Francisco were cabinet makers before
taking up guitar construction. In 1950 the brothers moved to Cordoba to their
military service. They decide to set up a cabinetry shop, and come to know the
flamenco world. In 1960, at his brother's initiative they began building
classical and flamenco guitars. After his brother moved to Barcelona in 1964, Juan
seriously devoted himself to
the study of construction, and to developing his own design. Since 1960, Juan has built more
than 850 guitars.
In building guitars, he uses, top grade, aged woods, at least 20 years old.
Juan Montero's stature among Spanish luthiers is such that Luis F. Leal Pinar devotes an entire
chapter in "Guitarreros de Andalucia" (2004) to him. Among the
many professional guitarists and artists who appear in his registry of customers are
Juan Serrano (who has used his guitars on virtually all his recordings
since 1990), Paco de Lucia, Paco Cepero, Vicente Amigo, Paco de Gastor, Eloy de Diego,
José Luis Postigo, Manolo Dominguez, Pepe Morales, Juan Muñez El Tomate,
Rafael Riqueni, Antonio de Patrocinio, Antonio Romero Pantoja, Hermanos
Flores, Carlos Piñana de Cartagena, Adolfo Rábanos de Logroño, Alberto Lucena de
Cordoba, Paco del Gastor de Morón, José Antonio Rodríguez, Luis Calderito,
Manuel Silveria, Pepe Corraliza, and Enrique de Melchor. His flamenco and
classical guitars not only have the
workmanship and beauty one expects in a quality handmade instrument, but in
richness, depth, and balance of sound to match. |