Introducing the José Marques N-44
A beautiful traditional concert guitar from Portuguese luthier José Marques, this 2018 N-44 is a particularly appealing instrument for the player looking for the warmth, colour and character of a traditional guitar combined with excellent concert-level responsiveness.
Remarkably light yet surprisingly rich in tone, the N-44 offers a beautifully balanced and expressive voice. The trebles are sweet, lyrical and singing, while the basses remain warm, rounded and exceptionally well balanced. Throughout the register, the guitar offers excellent separation, clarity and an abundance of tonal colours, allowing the player to shape the music with remarkable subtlety.
There is a wonderful natural quality to the sound of this instrument. Notes speak easily beneath the fingers, while the lightweight construction contributes to an immediate and responsive playing experience. The result is a guitar that feels effortless in the hands yet delivers a surprisingly mature and substantial voice.
The combination of traditional fan bracing, carefully selected tonewoods and hand-rubbed French polish gives this José Marques a distinctive character that should appeal to players who appreciate the warmth and musical complexity of a traditional concert instrument.
For those looking for a beautifully crafted guitar with a refined voice, excellent balance and plenty of personality, the N-44 is an instrument that deserves serious attention.
A gorgeous traditional concert guitar with a beautiful singing voice — a must try!
Description
New José Marques Concert Classical Guitar
Made in 2018
Model: N-44
- Scale Length: 650 mm
- Nut Width: 52 mm
- Soundboard: Italian Spruce (fan braced)
- Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
- Neck: Cedar with carbon fibre reinforcement
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Rosette: Hand made with pear wood & ebony
- Purflings: Pear wood & ebony
- Saddle & Headstock Veneer: Indian Rosewood
- Nut: Bone
- Saddle: Adjustable
- Tuners: Schaller Grandtune with snakewood buttons
- Finish: Completely hand-rubbed French polish
- Case: Hard shell case included
About the Guitar
The 2018 José Marques N-44 represents a particularly attractive interpretation of the traditional concert classical guitar. Rather than relying on an aggressively modern construction concept, this instrument embraces the musical qualities associated with traditional fan-braced guitars while benefiting from the precision and experience of a contemporary professional luthier.
Its lightweight construction is immediately noticeable in the hands and contributes to the guitar’s exceptional responsiveness. The instrument reacts quickly and naturally to the player’s touch, allowing subtle changes in attack, dynamics and colour to translate easily into the sound.
The tonal character is one of the guitar’s greatest strengths. The basses are warm, balanced and resonant, providing a solid foundation without overpowering the upper register. The trebles are sweet and singing, with a lyrical quality that makes melodic playing particularly expressive.
There is also an impressive degree of separation between the voices, allowing polyphonic passages to remain articulate and musical. Combined with its broad range of tonal colours, this makes the N-44 a particularly versatile instrument for repertoire requiring both delicacy and expressive depth.
The Italian spruce soundboard and traditional fan bracing contribute to the guitar’s natural voice, while the cedar neck reinforced with carbon fibre provides additional stability. The carefully executed hand-made rosette, pear wood and ebony purflings, snakewood tuner buttons and completely hand-rubbed French polish further reinforce the instrument’s refined traditional character.
The result is a guitar that feels immediate, responsive and exceptionally musical, offering the player a combination of warmth, clarity, colour and balance that is difficult to overlook.
About the Luthier — José Marques
Born in Portugal, José Marques developed a connection with both wood and music from an early age. His first professional path was in carpentry, where he developed the woodworking skills and understanding of materials that would later become fundamental to his career as a luthier.
His transition into musical instrument making began under the guidance of renowned Portuguese luthier Daniel Luz. During his apprenticeship, José first worked on traditional Portuguese instruments, including the guitarra portuguesaand the viola campaniça, before turning his attention toward the classical guitar.
Seeking to broaden his knowledge and experience, José spent several years in the United Kingdom, working in different workshops and developing his understanding of guitar construction and contemporary lutherie. He subsequently returned to Portugal and established his own workshop in Cortiçois, where he now dedicates himself to building fine classical guitars.
This combination of Portuguese tradition, extensive woodworking experience and international exposure has become an important part of José Marques’ identity as a guitar maker. His instruments bring together traditional craftsmanship with a thoughtful approach to modern playability, responsiveness and tonal development.
Today, José Marques is recognized for building a range of concert instruments, including traditional, lattice and double-top constructions. His work demonstrates a clear interest in achieving the ideal balance between lightness, responsiveness, tonal richness and projection, while maintaining the individuality and musical character of a handmade instrument.
The N-44 is a particularly fine example of the more traditional side of his work, offering players the opportunity to experience his craftsmanship through a beautifully voiced, fan-braced concert guitar.
Craftsmanship & Musical Character
One of the most appealing qualities of the N-44 is its ability to combine traditional construction with an exceptionally responsive playing experience.
The guitar does not need to be forced to produce its sound. Its lightweight construction allows the player to communicate naturally with the instrument, making it equally rewarding for delicate passages, lyrical melodies and more demanding concert repertoire.
The tonal palette is broad and expressive, with enough harmonic colour to give the player considerable freedom when searching for different shades of sound. The separation between voices further enhances its musical clarity, particularly in polyphonic repertoire.
The hand-rubbed French polish adds the final touch to an instrument whose character is rooted firmly in traditional craftsmanship. Thin, carefully applied layers of French polish preserve the elegant appearance of the natural woods while complementing the guitar’s traditional aesthetic.
The overall impression is of an instrument that is refined without being overly complicated, powerful without being heavy, and traditional without feeling dated.
Our Representation
Grand Guitar Salon is proud to be the North American representative of luthier José Marques, offering his instruments to discerning classical guitarists, performers, students and collectors throughout North America.
We are particularly pleased to represent José Marques because his guitars offer a compelling combination of traditional Portuguese craftsmanship, modern lutherie experience and exceptional musical value.
The N-44 is an excellent opportunity to discover the work of a talented contemporary Portuguese luthier through a beautifully executed traditional concert instrument.
A remarkably light and responsive guitar with rich tonal colours, singing trebles, balanced basses and beautiful separation — an instrument that truly deserves to be experienced.
Please Note
The photographs shown are representative images of the José Marques N-44. As each guitar is individually handcrafted using carefully selected natural tonewoods, every instrument possesses its own unique grain patterns, colour variations, and subtle visual characteristics.
The guitar you receive may therefore differ slightly in appearance from the instrument pictured. However, every José Marques guitar is built with the same dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail that define the maker’s work.
We are proud to be the North American representative of José Marques guitars and to offer these beautifully handcrafted instruments to classical guitarists and collectors throughout North America and beyond.
All prices are in Canadian dollars.
Additional information
| Weight | 10 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 114 × 51 × 21 cm |
