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WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO BE A GUITAR LUTHIER
Marco in front of a screen that says What It's Like to Be a Guitar Luthier.

As both a parent and an aunt, one of the most satisfying things about those roles is watching a child discover an activity that could turn into a true passion. I am constantly looking out for that little sparkle in my child's eyes when they play a sport, experiment with art, or play music. Looking for that spark of joy that might lead to a lifetime of fulfillment, and encourage them to continue to grow and develop.

Marco Mireles had that spark of joy when he started tinkering with guitars. Initially, he just challenged himself to see if he could build a guitar, but he loved every moment of it. This led to his career as a Guitar Luthier for Córdoba Guitars.

Recently, Marco had the opportunity to talk with the Ocean View Jr. Middle School students on Career Day about why he became a Guitar Luthier, what he does daily, and to play a couple of songs for them.


The information Marco shared with them that day might inspire one of those scholars to play guitar, create music, or build a guitar.



Marco pointing a screen that shows A Day in My Workshop

The spark that started Marco's journey was his passion and curiosity about understanding why the guitar performed the way it did. He loved playing guitar but couldn't stop asking himself, why did the guitar sound the way it did? How did every curve, brace, and piece of wood shape the guitar’s sound? Marco discovered Córdoba guitars during that process, and he admired the warm sound and connection he felt as he played a Córdoba guitar.



There are many steps to making a guitar, and it is very hands-on. First, there is the wood selection. Different woods = different sounds. Knowing what tone and feel you are working to achieve will dictate which wood you should select. From spruce, cedar, rosewood, and mahogany, these will all shape the tone and feel.



Raw wood on display used for crafting a guitar and a head and neck in progress

After you have your wood, it's now time to shape the guitar. Starting with flat wooden pieces for the top, back, and sides. The sides are then bent with heat and steam, and everything is glued together to create that beautiful curvy guitar shape.



Bracing strips while crafting a guitar body

Now it is time for the guitar skeleton. The bracing. Bracing is small strips of wood that are glued onto the inside of the top and back to provide strength but also affect the vibration and tone.



Showing the final step of adding the finish and setup for an acoustic guitar

For the last step, it's time for the finishing and setup. This is where the beauty and sound meet.



To put it in Marco's own words on why being a Guitar Luthier is so rewarding, "...is knowing that somewhere, across the world, someone will pick up a guitar I built and feel the same joy, inspiration, and music that I felt while creating it."



Marco playing guitar in front of a slide that has the title Why I Love My Job

EXPLORE SOME OF MARCO'S LUTHIER SKILLS

*As with virtually all guitars crafted in USA factories, Guild USA guitars are made in part from imported, carefully-curated tonewoods and hardware.



I’m a Web Producer, sometimes a Blog Writer at Yamaha Guitar Group. I have been involved in music for most of my life, from working at a radio station to a record label, and then finding my place in the music gear world for the last 20 years.