Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:FUSTERO
String Height(1st):3.0mm
String Height(6th):3.5mm

[Profile]
Jose Marin Plazuero was born in 1960 in Granada, Spain. He is the nephew of Antonio Marin Montero (b. 1933), one of Granada’s most renowned luthiers. In 1974, at the age of 14, Jose joined Antonio’s workshop—then collaborating with Manuel Veguillo—initially focusing on finishing while gradually learning guitar making. In 1979, he co-founded a new independent workshop in Granada’s Cuesta del Caidero with Antonio and built his first guitar at the age of 19, officially starting his career as a luthier under the Marin label.

Jose established his own production line with his original label while continuing to collaborate closely with his uncle Antonio, creating guitars under their respective labels. (Antonio retired from luthiery in 2025, leaving Jose as the head of the workshop.) That same year, following his earlier exchanges with French luthier Robert Bouchet, Jose developed the Marin–Bouchet style, learning firsthand the methods and artistry of these two masters.

Jose’s guitars carry forward Antonio’s craftsmanship and stylistic approach, while incorporating his own refinement in both tone and construction. His instruments are regarded as exemplary models of the Granada school, including Bouchet-style main models, outstanding Torres-style guitars, and high-quality flamenco instruments.

[Description]
This is a 2025 shop-exclusive model by Jose Marin Plazuero, created for Aura. The rosette design is inspired by the pomegranate, a symbol of Granada, and the guitar features an original label, mother-of-pearl inlays on the bridge plate, and other special details unique to this model. Only the finest selected tonewoods from the workshop stock are used, finished with exquisitely beautiful French polish, giving the instrument a dignified and elegant presence.

The guitar delivers the bright, clear, and expressive sound typical of the Granada school. Notes project with instant clarity, and the tone is dynamic and powerful. While its sound embodies the cheerful character of Andalusian music, Jose’s instruments retain a subtle, classical restraint that adds sophistication and depth to the tonal expression. The combination of sharp articulation and controlled elegance creates a refined, musical experience perfectly suited to classical repertoire.

Structurally, the soundboard bracing follows Antonio Marin’s and Jose’s own Bouchet-style design: a harmonic bar and reinforcement plate above the soundhole, a harmonic bar below, and five symmetric fan braces intersecting a transverse bar beneath the bridge, extending to the bottom of the soundboard. The braces are precisely fitted, creating a solid yet responsive top. The transverse bar is slightly higher on the treble side, tapering toward the sides, with the resonance set just below the A note.

The neck has a flat D-shape profile for a comfortable, standard grip. String height is slightly low at 3.0/3.5 mm (1st/6th string at the 12th fret), with 1.5 mm of saddle adjustment remaining for further customization. The string tension is balanced, offering a comfortable feel for the left hand, while the guitar’s dynamic range and responsiveness make right-hand playing effortless.

The Marin workshop, now internationally acclaimed alongside Antonio Marin, continues to represent the essence of Granada sound. This exquisite new model is a rare opportunity to experience the full refinement and tonal excellence of Jose Marin’s craftsmanship.