The “Marija Temo” Model is a hybrid flamenco and classical guitar which Tom Rodriguez, luthier, and myself designed together. We started attempting to make the hybrid around 1999, and in 2003 it was achieved. I had this idea for years to be able to play both flamenco and classical techniques on one guitar, simply because I had been equally playing both styles, and now, my playing is an absolute combination of the two styles where I naturally flow from one to the other. The hybrid guitar successfully combines and balances both flamenco and classical features in a single guitar. It is extremely loud, and has a bright and passionate tone when used for flamenco. The action is low enough to facilitate effortless right-hand flamenco strumming techniques, and yet is high enough to enable the warm, beautiful quality of the notes to be sustained and heard clearly when classical music is played. The craftsmanship and the consistency of these guitars are superb.

It has taken several attempts to develop and refine a guitar that embodies classical as well as flamenco qualities, and that is representative of both styles. I am overjoyed to be playing an instrument that allows me to combine the two styles without limitations or compromises. It is a joy to converse with my instrument and discover what it has to say.