Neck：Cedro
Fingerboard：Ebony
Finish：Shellac
Tuning Machine：WOOD PEGS
String height：1string　2.5mm/6string　3.2mm

[Profile]
Manuel Lopez Bellido was born in Granada in 1939, and at the age of 13 he entered an apprenticeship at the Claudio Carmona furniture factory, where he learned woodworking from Antonio Marin Montero, who was already an excellent craftsman. One day, a friend asked him to repair a banduria, which sparked his interest in the construction of musical instruments, and he eventually decided to make it his profession. He left Carmona's workshop before Antonio and joined Eduardo Ferrer's workshop at the age of 16. However, Eduardo recognized his talent for woodworking and rehired him as a full-time craftsman to make bandurias and guitars, where Manuel finally became a full-fledged instrument maker. Antonio Marin also joined Eduardo's workshop, and the two became colleagues again. In 1960, at the age of 21, after completing his military service, Manuel decided to go independent, and together with his ally Antonio, he launched the co-brand Montero y Bellido.
At first, they made a living by shipping products not under their own label, but under the label of their mentor Ferrer's workshop, or under the label of Manuel de la Chica.
In the 1970s, demand from Japan and other countries increased, and Manuel's brother Jose Lopez Bellido (1943-), Antonio's nephew Paco Santiago Marin (1946-), and Rafael Moreno (1954-) joined the workshop. Paco Marin became independent, and the following year another of Antonio's nephews, Jose Marin Plastero (1960- ), joined the workshop, but this marked the end of Manuel's and Antonio's collaboration, as they each worked independently.
Manuel's guitars are based on the traditional Granada style inherited from his mentor Eduardo, but with diverse structural experiments. It is surprising how much tonal character is common to all models, even though they often have a modern feel to them. The vivid woodiness of the response is very Granada, but there is a stoicism in the sound that is very appealing. He mainly produces flamenco models, but his sound, adaptable to any genre, is highly appreciated by his core fans. He currently works with his sons (Jesús and Mauricio, but as independent brands) in a long and narrow workshop in Paseo de Las Palmas,5 where he also produces his own instruments.

[Description]
We are pleased to announce the arrival of a 1992 flamenco blanca, Especial model with wooden pegs, made by Manuel Bellido. This model was used by the flamenco virtuoso Chicuelo, and has been well played, giving it a mature and attractive appearance. The sound of this piece is very Manuel-like, every note is hard and crisp, lyrical and expressive. The quick response from weak to strong notes and the massive feel of the rasgueado are appropriate for flamenco, and the guitar is fully functional for this genre.
The surface is original shellac, with scratches and dents all over the body, and there is a history of crack repair on the back. This is a rare and attractive example of a Granada's leading brand.


Performance video