Alhambra
Manufacturas Alhambra S.L., established in 1965, with almost 50 years of experience in the construction of the best handmade classical, flamenco and steel string guitars in the world. It has more than 14.000 square meters used for creating unique pieces using a perfect union between the tradition of handmade work and the most modern woodworking techniques.
The company is proud to be a family of 110 specialized workers, each with a solid experience in the craft of constructing stringed instruments. This team benefits from the labor of a design workshop incorporated in the company, which is responsible for investigating and developing new models and processes.
The acquired experience and technique of guitar construction are fundamental to obtain a perfect instrument. The best specialists in this sector work for Alhambra. Trained in the company from generation to generation passing through the tradition and the knowledge of the most refined art of building guitars.
The process begins with the best raw material: fine wood (cedar, spruce, rosewood, ebony, cypress, etc.). They are carefully selected at the place of origin and specifically purchased and imported to manufacture the guitars. Once they arrive at Alhambra's factory, the wood is naturally dried, a process that is lately stabilized through an automatic dry, which is possible thanks to use of use new technologies applied to this sector. Afterwards the different pieces are made, assembled varnished and polished to complete the process with individual tuning and sound control of each guitar.
The quality and reliability of the musical instruments manufactured by Alhambra, are assured thanks to the implementation of a comprehensive production process control system, which begins with the selection of the best raw materials.
The storage procedures as well as the quickness and punctuality of order fulfillment are improved thanks to new technologies. Every guitar is registered with a digital system that lets it be identified through a unique serial number, allowing the company to certify the origin of each instrument.
Alhambra has a strong commitment to environment care.
It is not a matter of image but a need for survival as our main raw material is wood and our future depends on the sustainability of the world's resources.
The wood is purchased from companies officially recognized in their countries to work with national reforestation programs. Depending on the origin of the woods every supplier abides by set rules. For instance, our Indian Rosewood is obtained through public government auctions and the trunks are then cut up at source. Another example is our Ebony supplier who must contribute annually a percentage of his turnover to the government who then allocates it for reforestation.
We always try to take full advantage of the options available for the maximum usage of the wood we buy. For that reason, our policy is present in several points:
Regulations in these countries insist that the wood is cut to specification before it is exported thus ensuring the country's own promotion and development.
As we have a wide range of models, this makes possible to classify the woods in accordance with their qualities.
The company has its own water-treatment plant, which guarantees the total and proper waste disposal after the varnishing process.
A vacuum system recovers the wood waste and turns it into briquettes. The manufacturing of briquettes is a by-product. This is where the surplus wood and dust is condensed into cylindrical pieces and is often used by bakers for their ovens or in Alhambra's case as a form of central heating during the winter.
The risk materials, such as glue and varnish remains, are treated by specialized companies in authorized treatment plants.
