How My Relationship with Kremona Guitars Began—and Why It Matters

Nylon string guitar players deserve more than just mass-produced instruments. They deserve craftsmanship, care, and a connection to something real. That belief has always guided my work—and it’s exactly what drew me to Kremona Guitars.

When Brendan and I first started talking seriously, I was struck by the openness of the conversation. He wanted to know what I needed from a manufacturer, and he was willing to listen. That alone was rare. But what came next truly sealed the deal.

Throughout several conversations, I was invited to build a direct relationship not just with sales staff, but with the people who build nylon string guitars. I had phone calls with the owners. I met with members of the luthiery staff. I had access to the warehouse, where I could hand-select instruments based on tone, playability, and visual appeal.

This type of access is almost unheard of in the nylon-string guitar world. Most manufacturers put a wall between the build/design process and the dealer. You don’t get to ask questions. You don’t get the opportunity to make suggestions; you get what you get! With Kremona, it’s a different story altogether. They are receptive to feedback, and they’re not afraid to make adjustments or explore new ideas.

They don’t just tolerate dealer input—they welcome it.

That openness wasn’t limited to a few conversations—it turned out to be a reflection of how Kremona operates at every level. What began with Brendan extended naturally to the owners, the luthiers, and the entire workshop culture. That same spirit of openness runs deep throughout Kremona’s identity. It’s not just a sales strategy—it reflects an old-world mentality rooted in craftsmanship, pride, and respect for the work itself. Nowhere is this more evident than in their highest-tier instruments: the Luthier Series.

Each of these nylon string guitars represents a different voice in the Kremona family, but they all share the same DNA: superb tonewoods, clean construction, and a commitment to the art of lutherie. They’re not just instruments—they’re proof of what can happen when a company puts craftsmanship ahead of convenience.

Founded in 1924 by Dimitar Georgiev, a Bulgarian luthier trained in Markneukirchen, Germany, Kremona has quietly upheld the European tradition of handcrafting guitars and violin-family instruments for over a hundred years. Their workshop in Kazanlak, Bulgaria, is not a factory in the modern, detached sense—it’s a nylon string guitar-making atelier in the truest form.

The luthiers and skilled assemblers there are artisans, not line workers, and every instrument reflects their commitment to craft and pride in their heritage. And while they are proud of their past, they are forward-thinking, continuously striving to maintain a balance between tradition and innovation.

Since that first real conversation with Brendan, my relationship with Kremona has continued to deepen. They’ve given me access not just to their standard lines but to their best luthier-built nylon string guitars—models that hold their own against much more expensive, boutique instruments.

And now, through Marfione Guitars, we’ve even opened the door to custom builds based on my own specifications, made possible by the trust and collaboration we’ve built over the years.

What started as a long courtship and a thoughtful conversation turned into one of the most important partnerships I’ve formed in this industry. I’m proud to offer Kremona nylon string guitars to my customers, and just as proud to call the people behind them colleagues and friends.

Because when a nylon string guitar is made by people who care, you can feel it. And when it’s sold by someone who knows the builder, the story gets that much richer.