English

Jorge Lay Herrera: GUITAR MAKER

I was born in Mexico City and always lived close to music. As a child I loved traveling with my father (that played the guitar) through all of Mexico, buying and selling wood, since he dedicated himself to its trade and distribution.

In so many different places where I went and keep in my memory, I lived the opportunity to be dazzled by magnificent artisans, cabinetmakers, woodcarvers, carpenters and be fascinated by piano and furniture factories of which my father was a supplier.

I knew that in there, in these places, in these life styles there was something that I respected, that awaited me in some way. Due to my multiple interests and my humanistic sensitivity, I decided to study Psychology and when I finished, a Master Degree in Quality, graduating with a thesis on the Classical Guitar.

Since 1989 I have been building a wide range of instruments: classical guitar, flamenco guitar, requintos for romantic popular music, guitars of various sizes or dimensions, Cuban Tres, Cajon, Bongo and others.

I started in the world of guitar making inquiring as an apprentice in the workshops of those who in turn dedicated their lives to this profession, such as Juan Hernández Trujillo (Xalapa, Veracruz), José Luis Navarro García (Paracho Michoacán) and his brother Francisco, Miguel Moreno (Mexico City), all of them outstanding Mexican guitar makers.

Since I personally make all the parts and work alone in my workshop, I am interested in all the delicate aspects of instrument construction, from the design, selection and treatment of woods, assembly of components, preparation and application of the finish to the final revision of each item prior to customer delivery.

My work is 100% handmade, limited in quantity and centered in Traditional Classical Guitars. You can find me in Tlalpan, Mexico City.