Antonio Marin Montero - 2012 No. 690
Antonio Marin Montero - 2012 No. 690
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
Shipping important note
Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Antonio Marín Montero (b. 1933, Granada) is regarded as one of the most influential Spanish guitar makers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Deeply rooted in the Granada school, he is equally remembered for his close collaboration with the French luthier Robert Bouchet, whose structural and tonal concepts he studied and refined. Over his long career, Marín developed a personal style that seamlessly integrates elements of both the Spanish and French traditions. His instruments are widely appreciated for their clarity, projection, and refined balance, and have become reference points for classical and flamenco guitarists alike. As one of the last surviving figures of Granada’s golden age of lutherie, his legacy continues to shape modern Spanish guitar making.
About the guitar
Built in 2012, this instrument by Antonio Marín Montero reflects his deep experience with both classical and flamenco design. Though conceived as a flamenco blanca, the guitar reveals an unusually lyrical and rounded voice. Its spruce soundboard and cypress back and sides contribute to a rapid tonal onset and a dry, articulate core. Yet it retains warmth and sustain more typical of classical instruments. This duality allows it to respond convincingly across genres, offering both the immediacy and low action of flamenco tradition, and the tonal bloom and expressiveness required for classical repertoire. The interaction between registers is fluid, with a particularly smooth midrange and clear bass response. Its slightly softened attack and excellent sustain result in a nuanced, full-bodied voice rarely found in hybrid models.
Condition
The instrument is in very good condition. A crack on the soundboard has been professionally repaired and is considered fully stable. The finish shows normal signs of wear, consistent with careful use.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.