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Del Mar Guitar Maker Is a Rising Star
Who knew that Del Mar is the home of one of the premier classical guitar and ukulele makers in the world? Would you be willing to wait 2 – 3 years for your new guitar? Many would-be owners do wait that long for a chance to have a guitar made by Pepe Romero Jr.
Most lovers of classical music in San Diego are aware that the world-renowned guitar quartet, The Romeros, has been living in Del Mar since the 1960’s. The amazing Romero family has been producing guitar musicians for three generations, starting with Pepe’s late grandfather, Celedonia.
Dubbed “The Royal Family of the Guitar,” the original Romero Quartet was made up of Celedonia and his sons. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1957, the Romeros have played all over the world for popes, kings, queens, and U.S. presidents. The Quartet now includes members of the third generation as well.
Pepe Jr., the grandson of Celedonia and son of Pepe Sr., has followed a different path. Pepe has been immersed in music his entire life as he grew up in Del Mar. He played the guitar from a young age and enjoyed playing guitars from his family’s amazing collection of guitars. Instead of becoming a member of the Quartet, however, Pepe has been making his way in the world of guitar makers, called luthiers, and is a rising star in his own right.
Pepe’s workshop is in Del Mar at the family compound where he grew up.
Grandfather Sees a Talent
His grandfather noticed that Pepe displayed woodworking skills in some of the items Pepe built as part of a high school woodshop class. His grandfather fostered the notion of Pepe building guitars as well as playing the guitar. After his beloved grandfather passed away, Pepe decided to build a guitar in memory of his grandfather.
Pepe was just 18 years old when he went to the Washington state workshop of luthier Dake Traphagen to learn the art of building a guitar. It was during this workshop that he realized it was his calling.
He would later receive guidance from several other master luthiers in Spain and Germany. In 1997, Pepe was lucky enough to spend time in the workshop of Miguel Rodriguez Jr., shortly before he passed away. The Rodriguez family are famous guitar makers from Cordoba, Spain.
At Work in Del Mar
Today, Pepe operates out of a workshop at the Romeros’ family compound in Del Mar where his father and uncle live, and where his late grandfather had lived as well. It is a fitting tribute to the man who wanted him to make guitars. The location also offers easy access to his uncle and father for valuable input on the sound and feel of each new instrument. They test each one before it is sent to the buyer.
Pepe’s large stock of hand-selected, well-aged woods used for his instruments includes German Spruce, Western Red Cedar, Rosewood, Spanish Cypress and European Flamed Maple. To date, he has made over 200 guitars, each hand crafted in the traditional Spanish method.
His guitars are in demand by concert guitarists and collectors worldwide, who are undaunted by the 2- to 3-year waiting period for new orders. Some of his guitars are currently available for sale through GuitarSalon.com, starting at $12,000.
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The Romero family musical dynasty continues. The current members are, from the top clockwise, Pepe Sr., Celin, Lito, and Celino.
This year Pepe decided to add tenor ukuleles to his repertoire–motivated by trips to Hawaii and the passing of good friend and ukulele virtuoso John King. Two weeks into building his first ukuleles, they were all sold. By the time he finished the first eight, he had orders for eight more. There is currently a six- to nine-month waiting period for these instruments, which are built under the label “Pepe Ukulele.” The ukuleles start at $3,000.
Romero Family Guitar Collection
The Romero family has been collecting classical guitars for the last 50 years and has one of the most important collections in the world. This collection has been invaluable to Pepe, allowing him to play and compare some of the best guitars in the world.
Growing up surrounded by guitars made by Torres, Esteso, Santos Hernandez, Hauser, and the Rodriguez family set the standard for how a guitar should be made. Pepe says that he is heavily influenced by the Rodriguez guitars. He is also inspired by the elegant look and beautiful sound of the guitars by Santos Hernandez and Domingo Esteso.
The Romero family’s guitar collection is one of the most important in the world.
Pepe Sr. has been keeping every tenth guitar that Pepe Jr. makes and has added them to the collection. Now that Pepe has completed his 200th guitar, Pepe Sr. has 21 of his son’s guitars and plays them on tour all over the world. In fact, Pepe Sr. can remember what audio and video recordings or concerts tours he has made with each of Pepe Jr.’s guitars. Considering the number of guitars in the collection, his memory is remarkable. In this way, both of the “Pepes,” father and son, know each guitar intimately, providing good feedback as Pepe builds his next guitar.
No doubt Pepe Romero’s guitars will take an honored place in the Family’s Guitar Collection in the coming years. Pepe has become an accomplished member of the Romero musical dynasty by putting his talents to the creation of hand crafted guitars. Pepe shows a great love of the guitar and a humility which has made the members of the Romero family so loved by fans and players around the world and especially in San Diego.
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