Guitar masters

Pimentel family to celebrate 65 years with concert

Each guitar maker has his discipline. From classical to country, the Pimentels continue to be a force in the music world. Sixty-five years after patriarch Lorenzo Pimentel began the business in New Mexico, his family continues to construct oneof-a-kind guitars.

To help mark the anniversary, Pimentel & Sons Guitar Makers will host a concert on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

“We usually do two concerts a year as part of our Pimentel concert series,” says Rick Pimentel, president of Pimentel Guitars. “This year, we thought we’d celebrate our 65th year.”

The concert will consist of 16 artists, whose music ranges from classical to flamenco and jazz and country.

The show will also be a tribute to the late guitar makers Lorenzo and Augustin Pimentel.

The story begins with Lorenzo Pimentel, who began apprenticing at his brother’s guitar making shop in Mexico.

At age 23, Lorenzo Pimentel moved to the United States and began making guitars at a violin store.

In 1951, he moved to Carlsbad, where he opened his own shop.

Four of his sons embraced his legacy, which has grown worldwide.

“We’ve done so much since my father first started,” Rick Pimentel says. “My father taught us about innovation. This is a big part of our success.”

In the Pimentels’ Northeast Heights building, on any given day, one could find Rick working on a classical or an acoustic guitar.

Meanwhile, Robert specializes in classical guitars.

And Victor specializes in mandolin and ukulele.

“We’ve broken into so many areas of guitar,” Rick Pimentel says. “And the genres of music has grown.”

The company prides itself on building each guitar by hand.

each piece one by one,” he says. aught us about that. It does make and I think people respect us for the craft into all of it.” guitar usually takes anywhere s to three months, depending on d aesthetics. a lot of inlay work, then it takes ays. spect that makes Pimentel Guitars at the lumber used for the guitars t 15 years inside the warehouse. ally air-dried,” he says. “My dad lumber and just store it. The aged he guitar a beautiful tone. You can mediately. We’ve also developed y of bracing and patterns for the ch set them apart from others.”

JIM THOMPSON/JOURNAL From left, brothers Robert, Rick, Victor Pimentel and Robert Pimentel III in the family’s workshop at Pimentel & Sons Guitar Makers.

The hands o colored birch

Robert and were worked

of Victor Pimentel glues in strips of h as part of the rosette on a guitar. Rick Pimentel play guitars that d on for customers. Rick Pimentel plays a guitar that was restrung for a customer at Pimentel & Sons Guitar Makers.

The classic head design of the Pimentel & Sons Guitar Makers. Necks and heads of the different types of guitars that are made at Pimental & Sons. A classic head design with custom inlay of mother of pearl with red coral.