As I’ve mentioned before, Granada is, if I’m not mistaken, the place in the world with the highest concentration of high-level guitar makers. There are more than fifty living and working in our province, and it’s a joy to see that this wellspring keeps flowing with such splendor. Emilio Díaz Valero is one of the most outstanding guitar makers of Granada’s new generation, and one of our personal favorites. His guitars are deeply rooted in our city’s tradition, and — of course — he himself, like his mentors, belongs to the very root of this Granada essence.

This particular guitar is one of the best we’ve seen him make. His guitars have a very traditional Spanish sound: beautiful, yet full of character. They convey a great deal and carry that hard-to-explain beauty of tone that draws us in so strongly — a sound with a distinctly woody quality, very balanced, round, and with a very fast response.

Playability is another of his strengths. The neck is built just the way we like it here at Madera, and on this guitar he has achieved a very good action — ideal for the guitarist looking for that traditional, friendly Granada guitar: easy to play, light, and full of strong Spanish character.

Excellent choice for guitarists looking for a very traditional guitar rooted in the Granada guitar-making tradition and sound.

Emilio Díaz Valero

Luthier — Granada

Emilio Díaz Valero was born on December 6, 1991, in Almazora (Castellón). He grew up surrounded by music and wood.

His path began on stage, with his hands on the strings long before they touched files and chisels. Between 2012 and 2018, he honed his playing at the Professional Conservatory of Flamenco Guitar of Granada “Ángel Barrios.” He then continued his training in Córdoba, at the prestigious “Rafael Orozco” Higher Conservatory of Music, until 2022, the year he completed his formal training as a guitarist.

In 2019, he began collaborating with Granada Guitar maker Francisco Manuel Díaz Sánchez, his mentor. Francisco comes from the Díaz family, a renowned line of Granada guitar makers trained at the Casa Ferrer, and learning alongside him was both a privilege and a way to connect with a craft tradition deeply rooted in Granada.

Over several summers, Emilio combined his musical training with work in Francisco’s workshop, gradually discovering his passion for building the instrument. That same year, working on his own, he built his first guitar — the first one made within the workshop of Francisco Manuel Díaz Sánchez. During the first two years, he balanced this work with his conservatory studies, fully immersing himself in the craft of luthiery.

From 2022, once his musical training was complete, he took on a key role as the official guitar maker in the workshop of Francisco Manuel Díaz Sánchez, becoming a true master of the craft. Francisco’s dedication and passion left a deep imprint on every guitar they built together.

In April 2025, after years of learning, Emilio opened the doors of his own workshop. It was not merely the start of a new chapter, but the realization of a dream that had been quietly taking shape within him for a long time. In this space, which carries the scent of cedar, spruce, rosewoods and cypress, the wisdom inherited from Francisco Manuel Díaz and the vision he has cultivated along the way come together.

Today, Emilio is regarded by both enthusiasts and professionals in Granada as one of the most outstanding young guitar makers of his generation — a craftsman with a remarkable talent for working and interpretation of the wood, capable of producing instruments of great value that remain deeply rooted in Granada’s guitar-making tradition and sound.