David Rubio

He acquired his new surname in his twenties while professionally playing flamenco guitar, which he had learned studying in Seville with, among others, the guitarist Pepe Martínez.

In the early 1960s he traveled from Spain to New York as accompanist for the Rafael de Cordoba flamenco dance company.

Rubio investigated many aspects of the technology of instrument-making, in his attempt to re-create the classical sound and appearance of the old Cremonese instruments.

His creations included guitars, lutes, harpsichords, theorbos, vihuelas, citterns, panduras, and finally also violins, violas and cellos.

His instruments were prized during his lifetime by many fine musicians, including the English lutenist and guitarist Julian Bream.

Rubio in his workshop in the 1990s
David Rubio in the 1990s