About the luthier

Paco Santiago Marín was born in Granada in 1946. He first trained in woodworking under his father, Francisco Santiago Oliva, a cabinet maker who introduced him to the discipline and precision of fine woodcraft. In 1963 he entered the workshop of his uncle, Antonio Marín Montero, where he completed his formation as a guitar maker within the Granada tradition. Since establishing his own workshop in 1972, Paco Santiago Marín has built instruments that are valued for their projection, balance, and refined tonal palette. His guitars are played internationally by concert artists such as Ricardo Gallén, Leo Brouwer, Manuel González and Iliana Matos. The Aniversario models represent the most select line of his production, reserved for particularly fine materials and a high level of finish.

About the guitar

This 30th Aniversario model from 2019 is built in traditional construction with spruce and Indian rosewood, finished in French polish. The instrument presents a distinctly Spanish voice: direct, brilliant, and forward in projection, yet supported by a strong and clearly structured bass foundation. The tonal balance across the registers is notably even, giving the impression of a unified and piano like coherence.

The trebles sing with clarity and precision, carrying easily in the hall without harshness. At the same time, the basses remain firm and defined, contributing depth without obscuring inner voices. Particularly striking is the dynamic range. The instrument offers considerable headroom and retains composure when driven, allowing the player to expand the sound without compression or distortion. This combination of brilliance, projection, and structural control makes it well suited to both lyrical repertoire and rhythmically defined concert literature.

Condition

The guitar is in very good condition. There are three cracks on the top that have been professionally repaired and are considered stable. The instrument shows normal marks of wear consistent with careful use.

Paco Santiago Marin

Paco Santiago Marin - 2019 No. 395 XXX Aniversario