Nashville Plucks National Reputation As ‘King of Strings’
Published Apr 30, 2009
The Delgado family name has become synonymous with fine quality, handcrafted musical instruments.
Manuel Delgado is a third-generation luthier, following a tradition of making stringed instruments that began in Mexico in 1928 with his grandfather and great uncle.
With a sterling reputation and clients all over the world – including Andrès Segovia, Los Lobos, Jose Feliciano, Charo and Arlo Guthrie – Delgado Guitars could do business anywhere, but Manuel and his wife, Julie, chose Nashville for Delgado Guitars.
“My dad sent me to Nashville to deliver an instrument,” Delgado says. “He wanted me to see the city and possibly open a music store here. I just fell in love with it.”
Delgado creates more than 40 different stringed instruments. He makes only 12 to 20 custom instruments each year, each one thoughtfully crafted for the individual customer. A ukulele may take a couple of weeks to complete while a concert guitar can take months.
“If it’s got strings, I can build it,” says the craftsman, who considers his work a ministry and has tremendous respect for the artisans who have gone before him.
Nashville is home to numerous instrument makers, including the iconic Gibson Guitars and Innovative Percussion.
Gibson recently announced an expansion of its operations in Nashville that will add some 200 jobs. The company is legendary for its acoustic and electric guitars, (including the legendary Les Paul), pianos, drums, amps and gear.
Innovative Percussion is the source for a variety of drumsticks, mallets, practice pads and educational opportunities for drummers and percussion players.
Large or small, manufactured or handcrafted, there is an instrument maker in the region for almost every desire.
It you can pluck, strum, beat or pick it, there is likely a maker in Nashville.
“When people visit Nashville, music is at the front of their mind,” Delgado says. “Greater interest is piqued when they hear of an instrument maker here. When they use the Internet to search Nashville music, they find me. Being in Nashville is very important.”
Story by Claire Ratliff Sears
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