Hidden LA: Candelas Guitars
There are hundreds of places throughout Los Angeles where you can get a guitar, but there is only one that has been handcrafting these classical instruments for the last 80 years. And it’s all happening in an area you might have never expected.
Located in a nondescript area of Boyle Heights along Cesar Chavez Avenue, Candelas Guitars is a family workshop, retail space and one of LA’s hidden musical gems. Third-generation guitar maker Tomas Candelas and his family have crafted Classical, Spanish, Acoustic, Mariachi, Flamenco and Bajo Sexto guitars for musicians around the world including Los Lobos, Jackson Browne and Jose Feliciano. In fact, Tomas’s uncle created guitars for Walt Disney and the original Mickey Mouse Club. (You can see the black & white photo–along with countless others–hanging on the wall in the shop.)
The list of clients is pretty impressive, but Tomas and his small staff welcome anyone to come browse the shop, take a one-on-one class (even if you’re a beginner) with master guitarists or simply stop in to say hello. I love this place because of the great history and also because Tomas is actually making these instruments right there. In the back room. By hand. Every day.
You also never know who might run into. On the morning I filmed a segment at the shop we had mariachi guitarist Jesus Hernandez from the famed Sol De Mexico, renowned performer Ukulele Bartt and guitarists Kenneth Del Rio and Gregg Lum. Music to my ears!
Watch the Video: National Guitar Month at Candelas Guitars
More info: www.candelas.com
Lifestyle writer Mar Yvette is on a mission to bring you the best people, places, and products to make your life pop!
ray manzarek died today. wonder if he ever used these guitars.