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Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
1
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
LATIN-AMERICAN
BASSMAKERS
AG
Argentina, standard instruments made by Aristedes
Gracia in Buenos Aires. Large scale manufacturing ended
in 1993. AG uses Korean parts made by Akkord (Hyup
Seung Co.).
AG basses are very much patterned after Warwick,
Fender and Höfner designs.
http://www.graciaguitar.com.ar/
AGE
Argentina, standard guitars and basses made by Andres
Garay .
Models are Rick-style laminated neck-through basses.
http://www.ageluthier.com.ar
AGERONIA
Chile, custom guitars made by Pablo Munoz in Santiago.
ALEMAN LUTHIER
Argentina, custom instruments made by Daniel Aleman.
ALEXANDER LUTHIER
Argentina, custom instruments made by Alejandro
"Alexander" Baccaglioni in Buenos Aires.
These active neckthrough basses are definitely
influenced by Warwick designs and often feature a
distinct half open headstock.
http://www.alexanderguitars.com.ar/
ALFONSO ITURRA
Standard/custom basses and guitars made by Alfonso
Iturra.
Basses are neck-through with laminated native woods,
34” scale, Aero or Rough Crystal pickups and active Noll
or Aguilar electronics. Special feature is the construction
of the upper cutaway in the singlecut design. Semi-
acoustic basses have piezo or Schertler Bluestick pickups.
Iturra also makes EUBs.
http://www.alfonsoiturra.com/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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AMATISTA BASSES
Argentina, EUBs made by Etcheverry Horacio in Los
Hornillos, Córdoba.
Standard model features propriety piezo pickups and
active electronics (4 band graphic EQ).
Custom versions have an inlaid amethyst stone.
http://www.amatistabasses.com.ar/
ANDRES LOIACONO
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Andres Loiacono.
No info or website available.
ARCIS
Chile, custom basses made by Mauricio Arcis.
http://www.mauricioarcis.blogspot.com/
ARTE MARA
Argentina, modern shaped acoustic upright basses made
by Wallace Culver in Buenos Aires.
http://www.artemara.com.ar
ASH
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Jorge
Eduardo Zeballos in Buenos Aires.
http://www.ashguitars.com.ar
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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AVALON
Brazil, custom instruments made by Mauricio Moreira in
the south of Brazil.
AYS
Chile, custom electric basses by José Ananías in Santiago
since 1992.
http://www.aysbass.com
BACH
Argentina, standard-custom basses made by Marcelo
Bach.
Pictured is the bolt-on Petrus.
BATAN
Argentina, F-style guitars made by Pablo Batàn.
Basses are J-style, sometimes with Sadowsky pickups
and electronics.
BEAUDOUX
Argentina, custom acoustic and electric basses and
guitars made by Daniel Eduardo 'Fanta' Beaudoux in
Buenos Aires since the ‘80s.
Beaudoux makes four- to sevenstring ABGs and modern
style solidbody basses. Several models are headless.
http://www.beaudouxguitarras.com.ar/
BEGHER
Brazil, lower priced Rickenbacker ("Begher")-style guitars
& basses and other models made between 1966-1972 by
Romeu Benvenutti.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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BENVENUTI
Brazil, custom basses and guitars made by Roberto
Benvenuti in Sao Paulo since 1996.
Luthier Benvenuti makes EUBs and solidbody basses. The
pictured bass has a fretless jacaranda ‘board and an
EMG piezo pickup.
http://www.rbenvenuti.com/
BULECEVICH LUTHIER
Argentina, custom instruments made by Ivan Bulecevich
in La Plata.
http://www.bulecevichluthier.com.ar
CARAVELLI
Brazil, acoustic instruments made by Caravelli since
2005.
Caravelli makes a violin-shaped acoustic EUB with
Fishman double bass pickups.
CARBAJAL
Mexico, custom guitars and basses made since 1979 by
Carlos Carbajal in Mexico-City. He previously worked for
Dobro in the US.
Main bass is the Pet EUB with hollow pear-shaped body
and a traditional scrolled doublebass neck.
http://www.carloscarbajalguitars.cjb.net/
CASA CARBIELl
Mexico, acoustic instruments made by Carbieli in
Michoacán.
Bassmodel is an ABG.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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CAST (HIGH PERFORMANCE)
Brazil, standard guitars and basses made by Josino Dos
Santos Saraiva in Sao Paulo since 1993. He previously
worked with Giannini (from ’78) and others.
CHARLES
Brazil, standard and custom stringed instruments made
by Jean Paul Charles in Salvador-Bahia. Charles is a
French luthier and mandolin player who has settled in
Brazil. He makes EUBs from native woods.
CHERUTI
Brazil, standard and custom basses made until 2007.
This company is now called Ledur.
Models are the Mister, Power, Tuca and Picolo Bend, all
made out of native woods. Cheruti has made EUBs too.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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CLAUDIO PALAZZOLO
Bolivia, custom guitars and basses made by Claudio
Palazzolo in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
http://www.myspace.com/gclaudiopalazzolo1
CONDOR
China/Brazil/US, Condor (since 1991)is the trading name
of brazilian distributor Carlos Cesar Medeiros. Most
instruments are made in China, but there’s also an US
made “Condor by Fodera” and a Brazilian bass made by
D’Lara.
Standard basses include modern and F-style basses,
four- and fivestring ABGs, a semi-acoustic model and the
top-of-the-range SC5000 with Wilkinson hardware, Kent
Armstrong pickups and active electronics.
http://www.condormusic.com.br/
CRUZOUND
Puerto-Rico, traditional Puertorican stringed instruments
made by Cruz in Morovis.
The CL is Baby Bass EUB-style with wooden body and an
additional magnetic pickup.
The WRJ has a smaller/slimmer and more violinesque
body. The AN 01C has a pear-shaped body. All basses
feature a metal diafraghm pickup.
D'ALEGRIA
Brazil, standard/custom guitars and basses made by
Daniel Alegria and Rodrigo Werneck since 2003.
Standard are native Brazilian woods, EMG pickups and
D’Alegria’s propriety active electronic made by
Tonechaser.
The Defender JB and PJ are F-style basses, the Dragster is
MM-copy. The Dart is an original design also made as a
doubleneck ( Double Dart) or semi-acoustic (A-Dart). The
Dynamo and Dragon are original models too. The
Discovery is an EUB.
http://www.dalegria.com/
D'LARA
Brazil, basses made by
Eliezer Lara in Rio de Janeiro, also for Condor.
D’Lara makes Fodera-style electric basses as well as
EUBs.
http://www.eliezerlaraguitars.com/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
7
DANIEL FERNÁNDEZ
Argentina, standard and custom electric and (semi-)
acoustic basses made by Daniel Fernandez..
Fernandez makes ABGs like the fourstring La Montana,
fivestring El Lago and sixstring Yin Yang and also several
electrics with an exclusive model for US bass shop The
Low End.
http://www.fernandezbasses.com.ar/
DANIELS
Argentina, standard and custom guitars and basses
made by Daniels.
http://www.danielsguitars.net/
DE CASTELLI’S
Brazil, standard/custom instruments made by Hilton
Castelli and son Tom in Churitiba since 1987.
Models are four- to sixstring.
DEMONTE
Argentina, custom guitars, basses and other instruments
made by Jorge and Juan Demonte.
http://www.guitarrasdemonte.com.ar/
DICARMO
Brazilië, standard EUBs made by Roberte Dicarmo since
1986.
There are two versions: Professional and Estudio
DIGIACOMI &YAVICOLI
see: Coatepec Violins.
DICKINS TOMA
Mexico, lower quality instruments made in the mid ‘90s.
.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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DJS
Argentina, standard/custom guitars and basses made by
DJS in Córdoba.
DJS makes a distinctly (pear)shaped EUB. Electric basses
are P- & J-style, a modern original design and a copy of
Gene Simmons’ Punisher. Bodies are made of cedar or
oak.
http://www.djs-luthier.com.ar
DMS GUITARS & BASSES
Colombia, custom guitars and basses made by Cesar
Bohorquez in Medellin.
DOH SERIES
Argentina, standard & custom guitars and basses made
by Daniel O. Hunko.
Models include Rick and J-style basses and originals like
this Big Dragon. The Arlequin has a chequered wood
inlayed body.
http://www.dohseries.com
DOLPHIN
Brazil, instruments made in the ‘80s – ‘90s by Carlos
Assale, later working for Giannini. Dolphin guitars and
basses were the best-selling instruments in Brazil during
the ‘80s.
The King has a pointy headstock, P-style body and one
soapbar pickup. The BX1020 has two pickups and one
was presented to Paul McCartney in ’90.
DREAMER GUITARWORKS
Brazil, custom guitars and basses made by Celso Freire
since the ‘90s.
http://www.luthier.com.br/
ELROI
Brazil, custom instruments made by Marcus Vinicius
.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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ENRIQUE CRIVELLARI
Argentina, acoustic and electric guitars and basses made
by Enrique ”Lex” Crivellari.
ESTEBAN ECHEVERRIA
Argentina, custom instruments made by Esteban
Echeverria.
http://estebanecheverria.olx.com.ar/
ESTRADA & BEVERIDO
Mexico, David Estrada and Lorena Beverido are Ïtalian
school” violinmakers from Coatepec. They make
traditional bowed instruments and have made a compact
acoustic bass too.
http://www.coatepecviolins.com
FABREGUES
Puerto Rico. custom instruments made by Pepe
Fabregues in Santurce.
Four- to sixstring basses with maple neck, ash body and
Fabregues designed hardware & electronics.
FAIM
Argentina/Korea, standard instruments made since the
‘80s by FAIM in Buenos Aires, also imports from Korea.
Older model is the headless Tomahawk, current models
are budget quality P- & J-basses and four- and fivestring
basses in Warwick/Ibanez Soundgear-style.
http://www.faim-instrumentos.com.ar
FDC
Panama, standard/custom classical guitars and EUBs
made by Luis Fernández de Córdoba in Panama City. He
has studie guitarmaking in the USA and has worked with
Gary Brawer.
This bass is custom made, using a Fender Mustang neck.
http://www.guitarrasfdc.com/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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FENIX
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Hernan E.
Lorenzo in Buenos Aires.
FINCH
Brazil, guitars and basses made by Finch in Sao Paulo in
the ‘70s,
One example is this Rick-copy. There’s a P-style bass too.
FOX
Brazil/Korea, standard and custom guitars and basses
made by Fox in Belo Horizont since 1998. Fox is a
collaboration between Brazilian Crafter importer Leo
Gandra and guitarmaker Ademir Coelho de Sousa,
starting out making EUBs. Nowadays Fox has 25
employees making instruments like the Amazona-series
basses and guitars, using native Brazilian woods with
European distribution by the British Woodview
Enterprises Ltd.
Amazona basses are the B2 and B3, singlecut solidbody
fivestrings with cedar chambered body and cedar neck,
imbuya top and Shadow piezo-pickups. The BX500 is a
modern full-cedar fivestring bass with two soapbars (in
wooden housing) and 3 band active EQ. Custom model is
the bolt-on Star Bass with many contrasting woods,
double cutaways and active electronics. There’s also an
imported Korean-made version of the Star Bass.
http://www.foxguitars.com.br
http://www.woodviewenterprises.com/
FREDDY PIZARRO
Chile, custom electric basses and guitars made by Freddy
Pizarro in Con-Con.
http://guitarraspizarro.googlepages.com/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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GABRIEL PEREZ
Chile, custom guitars and basses made by Gabriel Perez
in Valparaiso.
http://gabrieluth.blogspot.com/
GALASSO
Argentina, custom electric guitars and basses made by
Ezequiel Galasso in Buenos Aires.
http://www.galassoguitars.com/
GC (GERI CARLETTO)
Brazil, acoustic guitars (and some basses) made by Geri
Carletto in Taquariting, Sao Paulo.
This bass is made out of maple with an ebony ‘board,
Schaller hardware and active Seymour Duncan pickups.
GC (GUSTAVO CICERO)
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Gustavo
Cicero in Buenos Aires since 1988.
Most models are F- or Warwick-style, often featuring
EMG pickups and made out of traditional woods.
http://www.gustavocicero.com.ar
GG CUSTOM GUITARS
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Gustavo
Gonzalo in Buenos Aires.
http://www.ggcustomguitars.com.ar/
GIANNINI
Brazil, founded in 1900 by Tranquillo Giannini, an
acoustic guitarmaker. Since the ‘70s Giannini is involved
with electronics, amps, keyboards. Basses are sometimes
original, sometimes copies. Some ‘90s models are
branded Trilogy Inc.
The Shark ('80) is a headless bass with a wood
throughneck and a sharkfin shaped fibreglass body. '70s
models remind of Aria copies of J-bass, Rick and Gibson
EB2 and this EB3 .The AE03B is an ‘original’ model
fashioned after the Aria 1820. Currently only an ABG is
offered.
GOLDEN
Brazil, lower priced instruments made by Golden Guitars
& Basses in Sao Paulo since the ‘80s. This company also
trades Eagle en Golden instruments imported from Asia.
Basses are F-style fourstrings with PJ or JJ pickups. The
BG range is available with four- to sixstrings and features
active pickups, the similar BL range has passive
electronics. Most basses have cedar bodies and a
jacaranda fingerboard.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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GOYA LUTHIERS
Chile, custom guitars and basses made by Charly Campos
in Santiago.
http://www.goyaluthiers.cl
GOYO GONZÁLEZ
Argentina, electric guitars and a multitude of acoustic
instruments made by Gregorio Andrés González Foerster
in Cordoba.
Goyo makes a shortscale fretless ABG with slotted
headstock, mahogany back & sides, a German spruce top
and Fishman electronics.
http://www.goyoluthier.com/
GRAVINA
Brazil, custom basses made by Joao Gravina.
GUNELLA
Argentina, custom stringed instruments (and beyond)
made by Adrian Gunella in Salta.
http://www.gunellagtrtech.8m.com
GUSTAVO FOLCO
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Gustavo
Folco in Buenos Aires.
HARB HOECKER
Chile, custom guitars and basses made by Harb Hoecker
in Vina Del Mar.
HERING
Brazil, standard guitars and basses made by Hering
Guitars (Hering was originally founded in 1923 by the
german immigrant Alfred Hering), since 2007 the new
identity of Walker Guitars in Blumenau.
Hering basses are bolt-on and neckthrough J-style basses
with Walker hardware and Lace J-pickups.
http://www.walkerguitars.com.br
HONDA
Colombia, custom instrumenten gemaakt door Navarro
HORACIO LISTA
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Horacio
Lista in Buenos Aires.
http://www.galeon.com/horaciolista/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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JAVIER LOPEZ
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Javier Lopez in
Mendoza.
J.CASSIO
Brazil, custom basses made by J.Cássio in Rio de Janeiro.
JEG
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Javier
Ezequiel Gandolfo.
Modern neckthrough basses, some styled after Yamaha
TRB and Warwick Infinity basses.
http://www.jegluthier.com.ar/
JENNIFER
Brazil, maker of J-style basses, some with a distinct
scratchplate and pickup cover.
JONAS CALDAS
Brazil, maker of acoustic upright basses.
JUAN MUZIO
Argentina, custom stringed instruments made by Juan O.
Muzio in Buenos Aires.
Muzio offers electric basses.
http://www.jmuzio.com.ar
KIKO MELENDEZ
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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Chile, custom guitars and basses made by Kiko Melendez
in Quilpué (Valparaiso).
KRAFT
Brazil, standard guitars and basses made by Tico Kraft in
the ‘90s.
Models include MM- & J-style basses and Warwick
lookalikes.
LADESSA
Brazil, standard basses and guitars made by Edu(ardo)
Ladessa in Sao Paulo.
Ladessa makes a solidbody bass, four- to sixstring with
maple body, jacaranda neck and with Ladessa designed
hardware, pickups and active electronics. Optional are
LED positionmarkers. There’s an EUB too, with a Pierre
Josephs pickup and a Seymour Duncan preamp.
LEDUR
Brazil, the new name (since 2007) of the Cheruti
company, makers of standard/custom guitars and basses
in Cachoeirinha
Models are the MM-style Podium, Tuca, Felina, Mister,
Power and Pícolo Bend, all featuring Seymour Duncan
pickups.
http://www.ledurmusic.com.br/
LONESTAR
Mexico; instruments made by a collective of
guitarmakers in Paracho and distributed by the US
based LPD Music Int.
Lonestar makes the Mariachi, a traditional guittaròn,
optionally fitted with Fishman electronics.
LOPEZ
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Martin Lopez in
Buenos Aires. He also makes Mazzarino bass pickups.
His standard neckthrough bass model has a distinct
scoop on the upperside and is made of native woods,
34" scale, brass nut, Allparts bridge, Grover Tuners,
passive electronics with series/parallel switchable
Basslines MM- & Mazzarino soapboar pickups.
http://www.lopezluthier.com.ar/ing
http://www.mazzarinopickups.com.ar
LUCAS MARTINEZ
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Lucas B.
Martinez.
No info or website
LUIS CARLOS CUSINATO
Brazil, custom guitars and basses made by Luis Cusinato.
Models range from modern fretless to copies of Gene
Simmons’ Axe.
LUTHIER DE MALTA
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by De Malta.
http://www.luthierdemalta.com.ar/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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LUTHIER GM
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Guillermo
Morone. GM mostly makes F-style basses.
http://www.luthiergm.com.ar/
MAESE
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Mariano Maese
in Avellaneda since 1988.
Maese basses feature Bartolini and Maese pickups and
switchable active/passive Maese preamps.
Maese also makes an EUB.
http://maeseluthier.com.ar
MÁRCIO BENEDETTI
Brazil, custom guitars and basses made by Marcio
Benedetti in Sao Paulo since 1989. Benedetti previously
worked at Ladessa and Tiguez. He also teaches lutherie.
Models range from four- to sixstrings with throughneck
construction, passive soapbar pickups and active
electronics.
http://benedettiguitarworks.blogspot.com/
MATIAS CROM
Argentina, custom stringed instruments made by Matias
Crom, ranging from guitars to acoustic uprights.
Electric basses are styled after Carl Thompson designs.
http://www.chicasybajos.com.ar/
MATIZE
Brazil, standard instruments made in limited quantities
by Paulo Lima from LeStac.
http://bajos10.blog.com.es/
MBRAY
Argentina, standard/custom guitars and custom basses
made by Marcelo Bray in Bahia Blanca.
http://www.brayluthier.com/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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MEL
Argentina, standard/custom guitars and basses made by
Marcelo Lago in Buenos Aires.
Some MEL basses are originals, others are very much
patterned after Alembic, Pedulla and Warwick basses.
http://www.melguitars.com.ar/
MEZA
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Javier
Meza in Buenos Aires.
The neck-through MPJ has an ash body, three piece
maple neck and EMG PJ pickups.
http://www.mezaguitars.com.ar/
MGBASS
Brazil, standard/custom basses made by MGBass since
2003.
Models include the 105, System Drive, Desert, Oasis all
available as four- to ninestring bass featuring neck-
through construction, extensively laminated woods and
EMG pickups.
http://www.mauriciobass.com
MIRANDA
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Ricardo Miranda
in Burzaco.
Basses range from J-style to modern neckthrough
models.
http://www.mirandaluthiers.com.ar/
MM BASSES
Colombia, basses and guitars made by
bassplayer/luthier/industrial designer Jairo Eduardo
Suarez Gallardo (aka Mick Mutante) in Bogotá.
Standard features of MM Basses: a choice of three body-
shapes (all available with double or single cutaway(s))
from local
hardwoods, oil and wax finish, 34", 24 frets or fretless,
three- to five-piece throughneck, a single MM Basses
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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blade humbucking pickup with neodymium magnets and
passive electronics.
Optional are: more than four strings, different scale, a
second pickup, active electronics.
http://www.mmbasses.com
M.O.G.
Colombia, standard EUBs (previously made under the
Simet brand) by Andres Mauricio Ortega Gomez in
Palmira since 1998. These affordable instruments are
sold through the Internet.
There are three sizes: BB1 (standard Babybass), BB2
(Mini Baby Bass) and the BB3 Super Mini Baby. They all
feature fiberglass bodies, native woods for the necks and
a pickup system derived from Ampeg’s Babybass.
http://www.ababymog.galeon.com/
MORENO MOORE
Chile, standard/custom acoustic instruments (including
ABGs) made by Eduardo Alan Moreno Moore in Santiago
since 1988. Moore is a respected concert guitarist,
having studied in the US and performed in Europe.
Bassmodel is a six string classical guitar with a 72cm
scale, tuned down an octave. The current range focuses
on Suzuki-method student guitars.
http://www.morenomoore.cl
NAVARRO
Puerto Rico, custom instruments made by Mike Navarro
in San Juan.
http://www.guitarzonepr.com/
NOSTI
Argentina, custom electric and acoustic guitars made by
Diego Nosti.
http://www.diegonosti.com.ar/nosti
N.ZAGANIN
Brazil, custom guitars and basses made by luthier Marco
Zaganin and Ken Nakamura in Sao Paulo.
http://www.nzaganin.com.br/
OLIVO
Equador/Canada, standard/custom basses formerly
made by Olivo Chiliguinga in Toronto between the late
‘70s- early ‘80s. He previously worked at Lado and
returned to Equador in the mid ‘80s. Currently Olivo
builds classical guitars in his Quito workshop .
Olivo basses are influenced by Alembic and Lado,
featuring neckthrough construction, exotic wood bodies,
Bartolini Hi-A pickups, Schaller tuners and and Badass
bridges.
http://www.guitarrasolivochiliquinga.com/
ORELUTHIER
Argentina, electric guitars and basses made by Orestes Di
Vruno (Laboratorio Sonoro). He organises lutherie classes
too.
http://www.laboratorio-sonoro.blogspot.com/
ORREGO
Chile, custom basses made by Manuel Orrego
Basses have nine-piece mahogany/maple necks, ebony
'board, mahogany body with maple top,
Orrego passive Hi-Z pickups with EMG electronics.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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http://www.orrego.com
PABLO BERNASCONI
Argentina, Bernasconi makesacoustic uprights and EUBs
in Buenos Aires.
PABLO MASSA
Argentina, electric guitars and basses made by Pablo
Massa in Avellaneda. Massa makes tapping instruments
too.
http://www.pablomassa.com.ar/
PEREYRA
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Leandro
Pereyra in Buenos Aires.
http://pereyraluthier.blogspot.com/
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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PLUMA
Argentina, electric and electro-acoustic guitars & basses
made by Christian Iannamico in Bahia Blanca .
Basses are a Baby Bass-style 35”scale semi-acoustic EUB
fitted with Fishman pickups and electric basses with
original detailing like this passive semi-acoustic Raiz
Coral IV with cedar body, cedar top and bolt-on neck.
http://www.plumapro.com.ar/
RACELIS
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Racelis in
Rosario.
http://www.racelisluthier.com.ar
RAY RAMIREZ
Puerto Rico, standard and custom basses and EUBs made
by Ray Ramirez in Humacao. Ramirez is a renowned
bassplayer and author of the instructional book "The
swing of the Latin bass".
Ramirez makes four- to sixstring EUBs in Ampeg
Babybass-style in several versions with wood or
fiberglass body, diaphragm pickup (piezos optional) and
active Aguilar or Bartolini electronics. The Travel Mate is
a modern compact EUB with fibreglass body. Ramirez
solidbody bassguitars are custom built with four- to
sevenstrings, bolt-on or neckthrough construction,
graphite reinforced necks with pau ferro ‘board and
Bartolini electronics.
http://www.rayramirezbasses.com/
R BASSES
US/Puerto Rico, standard/custom basses made by Ray
Rogers, formerly in the US (Florida and New York) -
currently in Puerto Rico.
Rogers started out working with Carl Thompson, making
the first R Basses in his workshop. Rogers currently works
as a furniture maker, building basses on the side.
Older R Basses are obviously influenced by Carl
Thompson, current models are more inspired by Fodera,
featuring Bartolini pickups and HAZ Labs preamps.
REPISO
Argentina/Spain. Custom acoustic and electric guitars
made by Sergio Repiso since the '60s. After retirement
(1980) Repiso moved to Mallorca, Spain where he
continued working on guitars well into his eighties. He's
the actual luthier who defretted Carles Benavent’s
Gibson bass: " He pulled the frets out, fixed the
fingerboard, changed the bridge and put a new pick-up
in. I had only this bass then, so it was a real jeopardy. But
Repiso did a fine job, and the Gibson worked pretty well
until its retirement in 1995..."
Repiso has made sixstring (baritone) basses with a LP-
style body.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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RM
Argentina, custom guitars and basses made by Raul
Andrés Moine in Tandil. RM also makes pickups and
electronics.
http://www.rmluthier.com.ar/
ROGER MORILLO
Venezuela, basses and guitars made by
bassplayer/luthier Roger Morillo. Morillo has lived and
worked in the US and has a distinguished career as a
player. Since returning to his country of birth he
concentrates on luthiery.
http://www.rogermorillo.com/
ROZINI
Brazil, acoustic instruments made by Rozini.
Basses are four- and fivestring ABGs with medium scale,
cedar neck, laminated tauari body with solid spruce top
and cutaway and Artec electronics (Fishman optional).
http://www.rozini.com.br/
RS LUTHIER
Argentina, custom basses made by Roberto Souto in
Buenos Aires since 1997.
RS has made the Carl Thompson-style sixstring Rainbow
Bass and a NS Design-like EUB.
http://www.rs-luthier.com.ar/
SANTANERA
Argentina, custom electric guitars and basses made by
Ariel Santanera in Buenos Aires since 1985. During the
'90s he concentrated on
instrument design, returning to making and repairing
guitars in 2003. The first instrument he made was a
fretless bass.
Recent instruments include the SG, an EB3-style bass
with throughneck, and a Rick-style bass. During the '80s
Santanera made quite a lot of headless basses.
Santanera also organizes lutherie classes.
http://www.dospotencias.com.ar
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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SAURRAL
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Osvaldo Saurral
in Córdoba.
Models are based on Pedulla, Warwick and Fender
designs.
http://www.violasaurral.com.ar/
SIRACUSA LUTHIER
Argentina, standard-custom guitars and basses made by
Maximiliano Siracusa.
Models are the Unity and the pictured Tigre.
http://www.siracusaluthier.com.ar
SNL
Argentina, guitars and basses made by Sergio Nigrelli in
Ituzaingó.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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SOTOBASS LUTHIER
Argentina, custom basses (and some guitars) made by
Facundo Soto in Buenos Aires. His basses are
neckthrough designs.
http://www.sotobass.com.ar/
SUAREZ LUTHIER (BHS)
Argentina, standard and custom guitars and basses
made by Benigno Horacio Suarez in Buenos Aires.
Models are styled after Ken Smith, Tobias and Warwick.
http://www.suarezluthier.com.ar
TAGIMA
Brazil, standard instruments originally made by Seizi
Tagima since the ‘80s. Since ’96 this brand is owned by
Marutec (Ken Nakamura, involved with N.Zaganin), also
trading Korean instruments under the Memphis by
Tagima) brand.
http://www.tagima.com.br
TIGUEZ
Brazil, custom instruments made by E.Tiguez in Sao
Paulo since 1988.
http://www.tiguez.com/
TONANTE
Brazil, founded in 1954 as Ao Rei dos Violões Limitada by
Portuguese brothers Abe & Samuel Tonante, and
nowadays the most famous ‘cheap’ brand of guitars in
Brazil. During the many years of Brazilian import
restrictions Tonante virtually had no competition and put
out large numbers of budget quality instruments. These
are wanted today because of their vintage appeal.
Early models are the F-style Tonante Finder range,
current model is the Charvel-style Star Light.
TORRE FUERTE
Argentina. Custom basses. One example is fitted with
Ken Smith pickups. No further info available.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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TWO HANDS
Brazil, guitars an basses made by Two Hands.
Basses resemble Carl Thompsons designs.
URBAN STRINGS
Argentina, electric bowed instruments and guitars made
by Gato Urbanski and Fernando Scherer in Buenos Aires.
http://www.urbanstrings.com/
UTRERA
Venezuela, standard/custom basses (and guitars) made
by Freddy Utrera in Caracas.
Utrera basses (four- to sevenstring) feature a laminated
maple/walnut throughneck, 35" scale, rosewood 'board,
solid mahogany (or alder) body with optional maple top,
two humbuckers and switchable active EQ.
http://www.utreracustom.com/
VERDI
Argentina, standard stringed instruments made by
Ramon José Verdi and his two sons in Buenos Aires since
the ‘70s.
Bass models range from traditional electrics to “Virtual”
bassguitars and EUBs. These have a frame instead of a
fully massive body, some models having carbon fibre
parts.
http://www.verdi.com.ar
VETTAN (Luteria Vettan)
Chile, custom electric guitars and basses made by Victor
Rivera Salazar in Concepción.
http://vettan.blogspot.com/
VICTOR REVERA
Chile, custom instruments made by Victor Revera.
Encyclopedia of bassmakers – Latin America. Copyright 2006-2009 Jan Berendsen http://www.aardigsnarig.nl
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VOGEL
Equador,standard guitars and basses made by (US-born)
Bob Vogel in Quito since 1995. Vogel came to Equador
working as a missionary.
The 402/502/602 are modern four- to sixstring basses.
The Buitre has a distinct body shape with short sharp
cutaways. The Karl is styled after the Warwick Thumb
without being a copy. All basses feature native woods,
Basslines or Bartolini pickups and passive electronics
with single volume and tone controls and a threeway
pickup switch.
http://www.vogelguitars.com/
WALKER GUITARS
Brazil, standard/custom instruments formerly made by
Walker out of native (ecologically harvested) Brazilian
woods. Walker changed its name to Hering Handmade
Guitars in 2007.
WOOD
Brazil, standard/custom instruments made by Zé
Eduardo.
http://www.woodguitars.com
