His Guitars

Joe uses three guitars to create his music. Most live performances are done with both a late model Hermanos Sanchis Lopez Flamenco and a traditional but very high quality Flamenco guitar made by Mitsuru Tamura (1971). The Sanchis Lopez (left side in photo) has been modified to employ a Fishman pre-amplifier that uses both a small internal microphone (GLM-200) plus a piezoelectric ribbon pickup under the bridge bone. The mixed sound range from this instrument makes it ideal for a wide range of music and volume. The Tamura guitar (right side in photo) has been modified to use a two-channel system through a Fishman Pocket Blender pre-amplifier. This system also employs a GLM-200 mini-microphone mounted within the body for the acoustic overtones which is combined with a flat piezoelectric crystal glued to the inside of the soundboard on the bass side of the bridge. This combination gives the most natural sound for an amplified nylon stringed guitar but is limited in terms of peak volume.

Joe’s most prestigious instrument (center of photo) is a 1969 original hand made Ramirez (autographed) flamenco model Class 1a, with traditional wooden tuning pegs. This instrument is used strictly for recording or special concert performances. It too, has been modified with the same pickup combination as the Tamura.