Jesus Bellido　[ヘスス・ベジード] Clasica Arce

Product Description

Neck:Cedro
Fingerboard:Ebony
Finish(Top):Shellac
Finish(Back & Sides):Shellac
Tuning Machines:SCHELLER
String Height(1st):2.8mm
String Height(6th):3.8mm

〔Luthier Profile〕
Jesús Bellido (born 1966) is one of the leading guitar makers of Granada, Spain. Born into the family of Manuel Bellido, a highly influential figure in the Granada guitar-making tradition of the latter half of the 20th century, Jesús was surrounded by guitar making from an early age and began learning the craft in his father's workshop. His uncle, José López Bellido, was also a prominent Granada guitar maker, while his brothers Miguel Ángel and Mauricio have likewise pursued careers as guitar makers.
Jesús began working in his father's workshop at around the age of 13 and completed his first guitar in 1983, when he was 17. He also studied education and worked as a teacher for a period, but continued making guitars alongside his teaching career. From the late 1980s through the 1990s, he gradually devoted himself more fully to guitar making. In 1999, he returned to his father Manuel's workshop, where he has continued to work alongside his family.
A defining aspect of Jesús Bellido's work is his extensive study of historical Spanish guitars. He has repaired and restored instruments by many of the great makers of the past, including Antonio de Torres, Santos Hernández, Pagés, Panormo, and Manuel de la Chica, carefully analyzing their construction and methods. For Bellido, making a replica is not simply a matter of copying dimensions and shapes. Rather, it means understanding the maker's underlying ideas and craftsmanship—why a particular form of peones, bracing arrangement, grain orientation, or choice of wood was employed.

This approach is reflected in his replicas of instruments by Torres, Santos Hernández, and Manuel de la Chica. His deep understanding of historic instruments is also evident in his original models, which are characterized by a simple, clear, and richly woody sound. Their exceptionally fast response, combined with a broad dynamic range and powerful projection, gives them a distinctive musical character.

Although his instruments share certain structural characteristics and tonal qualities inherited from the Bellido family tradition, Jesús has developed a distinctive voice of his own. Rather than pursuing overly modern construction methods, he places great importance on the natural, woody character of historic Andalusian guitars, reinterpreting the qualities of traditional Spanish instruments for today's players.

The Bellido family also possesses one of Granada's notable collections of tonewoods. Their stock includes Romanian and Italian spruce, Canadian cedar, and a wide variety of woods for backs and sides. Some of these materials were acquired by Manuel Bellido in the 1970s and have been naturally seasoned for decades, representing an important part of the family's guitar-making heritage.

Jesús Bellido has also played an important role in educating the next generation of makers. For several years, he taught guitar making as part of vocational training courses organized by the City of Granada, alongside other prominent Granada makers such as Rafael Moreno and Juan Miguel Carmona. He has also conducted guitar-making seminars and courses in France and Belgium, helping to introduce Granada's traditional techniques to makers abroad.

Building upon the Granada tradition inherited from his father, Manuel Bellido, Jesús has developed his own philosophy through extensive research into historical instruments and years of experience in restoration and replica making. His guitars preserve the natural, powerful, and richly woody character of traditional Spanish instruments while adapting it to the needs of modern players. Through both his instruments and his teaching, Jesús Bellido continues to represent and transmit the rich guitar-making tradition of Granada to the next generation.

[Instrument Information]

This is a 2008 Classica Arce, with a 650 mm scale length.

The guitar features a bright and vibrant tonal character, with exceptionally quick response and a crisp, articulate sound. It produces substantial volume, with excellent responsiveness, good sustain, and an overall well-balanced tonal character. Jesús Bellido’s Classica model is an outstanding instrument that reflects a deep understanding of the Granada tradition and the essential principles of Spanish guitar making, resulting in a highly practical and expressive guitar.

The guitar features a French polish (shellac) finish and is fitted with Schaller tuning machines. The neck has a slim profile and is straight, while the frets remain in good condition. The action is set at 2.8 mm on the 1st string and 3.8 mm on the 6th string. The string tension feels relatively soft, with a broad response to variations in touch, making the guitar comfortable and easy to play.

Approximately 16 years have passed since the guitar was made. Overall, it remains in good condition, with some small marks and scratches visible across the instrument. All of these are minor and do not detract from its overall appearance. The finish has been well preserved, and the neck is also in good condition.

There are two previous crack repairs. Both cracks were properly repaired with internal patch reinforcement and do not affect the guitar’s current playability. Rather, the condition reflects an instrument that has been actively played and thoroughly played-in over the years, contributing to its mature and responsive sound. A BAM hard case is included.