Vicente Camacho

Spanish Luthier

(b. 1928)

 

Recognition to One of the Greatest…………..

In memoriam…. This site is dedicated to don Vicente P. Camacho, one of the best Spanish luthiers ever.  The only disciple of Manuel Borreguero, who with Domingo Esteso and Santos Hernandez formed the group of officers who made the guitars sold at the shop of Manuel Ramirez. 

The son of a reputable cabinet maker, don Vicente P. Camacho was born in Madrid in 1928.  He worked at his father’s shop while attending school to become an industrial designer.  A music lover, he played lute and requinto in a estudiantina.  Later on, he formed a musical group that consisted of guitars, requinto, maracas, and vocals.

 

At age 19, young Vicente took his guitar for repairs to the famous luthier Modesto Borreguero a friend of the family, and then only survivor of the officers who worked at the Manuel Ramirez workshop in Calle Arlaban, Madrid.  The other two officers, Santos Hernandez and Domingo Esteso had already departed.  It was at this time that Modesto asked Vicente to joint him at his shop to learn to make guitars.  Vicente became the only disciple of Modesto Borreguero, who died in Madrid in 1969.

 

In 1960, Vicente opened his own shop and started making guitars.  His famous “senorita” model (3/4 size) guitar became famous in England.  He also made requintos.  In fact, his first requinto was made for the famous Trio Los Panchos, a Mexican vocal/guitar trio from the 1950’s.  The best punteo ever was done on a requinto by this trio.

 

Vicente Camacho’s first guitars were sold in Madrid and Barcelona.  Once people started becoming aware of the high quality of his guitars, they were in demand in Europe, United States, Japan, Mexico and Argentina. Vicente worked alone and did not have any disciple.

 

Vicente Camacho designed a cross-braced system for the guitar top that produces a loud and clear tone even in small body guitars. The tone is well balanced and projects really well.  If you have heard El Trio Los Panchos, you will recognize the sound.  Camacho’s guitars are also famous because they were one of a kind piece of art. Every single part was made by the luthier, except the machine heads.  His rosettes looked similar to each other but were different.  The design matches the bridge. None of his guitars is equal to another.  He made small scale guitars by demand.  He used spruce, cedar, Indian and Brazilian rosewood mainly.

 

Among his collectors are Angel Romero, Peter Capell, Emma Martinez, Greg Lake,  Pepe Vergara and Ramon Villar.

 

Camacho was very well known in London, where his guitars were sold by the London Guitar Studio.  An interview with Vicente Camacho was published by Classical Guitar Magazine in July 1986.

About Los Panchos

Los Panchos were first formed in 1944 at New York City by two Mexicans, Alfredo Hill and Chucho Navarro, and one Puerto Rican, Hernando Aviles. Each member of Los Panchos played a guitar and sang.

Los Panchos reached fame internationally with their romantic songs, especially in Latin America, where they are still regarded as one of the top trios of all time. They sold millions of albums copies within a few years of being founded.

Julito Rodriguez joined the group in 1952; he was replaced by Johnny Albino in 1958.  The Albino era was one of the most prosperous ones for Los Panchos, as Albino proved to be a very popular singer among Los Panchos fans for ten years. His departure in 1968 was a tumultuous one, as he did not leave on good terms with the group's management.

Los Panchos still continue to perform concerts across Puerto Rico, the United States and Latin America, with a newer cast of singers.

The School of Madrid  at Frankfurt in 1983

Left to right:  Vicente Camacho, Paulino Bernabe, Manuel Contreras,  Manuel Rodriguez, Marcelino Lopez,  Felix Manzanero, Arostegui Granados, and Juan Alvarez