Santos Hernández is considered one of the most influential guitar makers of the 20th century. As a master of his craft, he not only created instruments of exceptional quality, but also had a decisive influence on modern guitar making. His work is still appreciated by guitarists and enthusiasts today and has had a lasting influence on the history of guitar making.
Why Santos Hernández is so outstanding
Santos Hernández was born in Madrid in 1874 and began his career in guitar making in the workshop of Manuel Ramírez, one of the most respected luthiers of his time. There he developed his skills and understanding of the intricacies of guitar making. Hernández was known for his attention to detail and his ability to build guitars that were both aesthetically pleasing and sonically outstanding.
What particularly distinguished Santos Hernández was his ability to combine innovative techniques with traditional methods. His guitars are known for their exceptional sound quality, achieved through precise craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials. Hernández’s understanding of the acoustics and structure of guitars was remarkable, and his instruments are a testament to his relentless pursuit of perfection.
What has shaped and changed Santos Hernández
Hernández was known for his ability to optimize the tonal characteristics of the guitar. He refined the traditional fan bracing of the guitar top, resulting in improved resonance and a balanced sound. This technique allowed him to create instruments that were both powerful and nuanced, laying the foundation for the modern classical guitar.
His guitars are characterized by a special depth and clarity of sound, which many guitarists appreciated. Hernández attached great importance to the selection of high-quality woods and precise workmanship, which gave his instruments a unique tonal quality. His ability to combine traditional techniques with new ideas set new standards in guitar making.
In addition to his technical brilliance, Hernández knew how to combine aesthetic elegance with functional excellence. His guitars are not only instruments, but also works of art that still serve as a model for many guitar makers today. The instruments of Santos Hernández have raised the standards in guitar making and continue to influence the art of guitar making today.
Santos Hernandez’s most famous guitar?
One of Santos Hernández’s most famous guitars is the one he built in 1916 for the famous guitarist Andrés Segovia. This guitar is considered one of the best ever built and played a crucial role in Segovia’s career. Often considered one of the most important classical guitarists of the 20th century, Segovia praised the guitar for its exceptional sound quality and its ability to perfectly reflect the nuances of his playing.
This guitar was not just an instrument, but became an important part of Segovia’s musical expression. It helped promote the reputation of the classical guitar as a concert instrument and influenced the way guitar music was perceived worldwide. The connection between Segovia and Hernández’s guitar is a prime example of how an extraordinary instrument can shape a musician’s career.
Famous guitarists who have played on his guitars
In addition to Andrés Segovia, many other renowned guitarists have played the guitars of Santos Hernández. Among the most famous are Regino Sainz de la Maza, the first performer of Joaquín Rodrigo’s famous concerto “Concierto de Aranjuez”, and Miguel Llobet, an important Catalan guitarist and composer. Both musicians appreciated Hernández’s guitars for their outstanding sound quality and playability.
The Spanish guitarist and composer Emilio Pujol, a student of Francisco Tárrega, also played guitars by Santos Hernández. Pujol, who is considered one of the most important representatives of the classical guitar school, appreciated Hernández’s instruments for their ability to perfectly reproduce the timbres and dynamic nuances of his music.
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Santos Hernández’s legacy lives on in the guitars he created, as well as in the techniques and standards he established in guitar making. His instruments are now sought-after collector’s items and are kept in museums and private collections around the world. The luthiers who work in his tradition continue his methods, helping to keep the art of guitar making at the high level that Hernández aspired to.
His influence also extends to modern guitar music, as many of his innovations and designs continue to be used by luthiers and musicians. The importance of his work is underlined by the continued appreciation and demand for his instruments, which are considered the benchmark for quality and craftsmanship in guitar making.
A video of a Santos Hernandez from 1921:
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Result
Santos Hernández was not only an outstanding luthier, but also an innovator who had a decisive influence on modern guitar making. His ability to combine traditional techniques with new ideas has revolutionized the quality and sound of guitars. The famous guitar he built for Andrés Segovia is a testament to his quality and remains a symbol of excellence in guitar making. Hernández’s influence on music and guitar making is unmistakable and his legacy will inspire many generations of musicians and luthiers.