Salvador Ibáñez, One of The Most Noteworthy of Spanish Classical Guitar Makers

Salvador Ibáñez (1854-1920) was a luthier who designated as one of the most noteworthy of Spanish classical guitar makers. He made guitars, ukuleles, mandolins and other stringed instruments. These instruments were considered the finest of their age and are prized for their excellent quality and impeccable workmanship.

Salvador Ibáñez Guitar

Salvador Ibáñez became an apprentice in guitar construction at Calle Muela Valencia when he was 11 years old. In 1870 he started his own company Salvador Ibáñez y Albiñara at Calle Cubells. Working in his shop were the ten-year-old José Ibáñez and Magdalena Albiñara y Magraner, from Ollería, Valencia.

In 1896 Salvador Ibáñez first appeared in the trade guides at Calle Ruzafa Valencia and from 1898 to 1906 his shop was located at Calle Baja de San Francisco. Salvador Ibáñez made bandurrias, lutes, six-string guitars, nine-string guitars, and also guitars with detachable necks.

In 1897 Salvador Ibáñez made the world's first double-necked guitar. In the period 1915-1920 Salvador Ibáñez e Hijos (Salvador Ibáñez and Sons) were located at Calle Baja de San Francisco and at Calle Padre Rico Valencia. When he died in 1920 his workshop continued to be managed by his two sons until it was completely destroyed during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

John Lennon's Salvador Ibáñez guitar

After the Salvador Ibáñez workshop had been destroyed and with the Salvador Ibáñez guitars being no more available but highly sought-after by the collectors and guitar players due to their excellent quality, the Japanese distributor Hoshino Gakki decided to start making Ibáñez guitars of their own after years of importing Salvador Ibáñez guitars to Japan.

Hoshino Gakki purchased the trademark and started production with brand name "Ibanez Salvador" and later Ibanez which obtained great success in the 1970s-1980s. Hoshino Gakki currently produces both acoustic and electric guitars using the Ibanez brandname but is mostly oriented to producing electric guitars.