Margy's Guitar The Story Begins... On February 23rd, 2002, Artie and I visited Valdivia (12 hours south of Santiago) with Cristián, Artie's guitar teacher, to meet the luthier, or instrument maker, who is building a 15th century model instrument for Cristián. He previously built a Baroque guitar for Cristián (see Music in Our Lives). If you have already seen this page, you might want to skip ahead to the Delivery of Margy's Guitar.

This talented craftsman, Nicanor Oporto, at left above, does incredible work. We marveled at the detail and variety in his outstanding array of beautiful instruments in process. We were so impressed, that we immediately knew that we wanted something that he had made. I asked Cristián what instrument Nicanor could make that I could learn to play, and we decided on a guitar, specifically designed on a smaller scale to fit my hands. Now specializing in building fine and historically correct Baroque and Renaissance instruments, guitars are too boring for him to make normally, but he made an exception in my case, with the challenge of unique decorative details and a non standard size.

His fine detail work is accomplished with a variety of tools, such as carving knives and specialized planes, including the tiny one in the palm of my hand.

With the decision made to buy a guitar hand made by one of the best luthiers in South America, we began the selection process of the materials and ornamentation. What a thrill!

Above we looked at the way some of the intricate wood inlay strips could be used to ornament the guitar. I chose a 4 color patterned strip for the back that reminds me of a patchwork quilt. The strips for the front have red and white stripes and a checkerboard of blue and white that are reminiscent of the American flag. These intricate wood inlay strips are less than 1/4 of an inch wide, and they will be fine woods, some of which are in the photo at the left.

Nicanor had me write my name the way I wanted it for the engraving he will do on the head. I also drew a heart for him in the style that I like, so that he can inlay two entwined hearts under my name. I picked the shell from which the hearts will be made.

We worked the final details, including the placement of the trim and the ivory sea lion tooth for the bridge. Artie made the order official by signing the check.

With the world's most beautiful guitar coming in two months, I have a lot to learn to be able to play it when it is finished. Delivery in Santiago is expected in May 2002. I started learning the names of the strings and their notes as we worked our way back to Santiago in the car.

No, this is not my new guitar! Mine will be prettier. Much prettier! Using Artie's guitar, back in Santiago, I had my first lesson, how to hold the guitar and beginning to learn my right hand technique. Inspired by the thought of my own very special instrument coming soon, now it is just a matter of time and practice and practice and practice!

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