Pedro Maldonado (1929–2020) guitars are now crafted by his son, Luis Miguel Maldonado Ruiz. Pedro, who apprenticed with renowned luthiers Manuel de la Chica and Miguel Robles in Granada, opened his own workshop in 1959. Luis (born 1961) began working alongside his father in 1976, collaborating with him for over 44 years. Since Pedro's passing in 2020, Luis has continued to uphold his father’s legacy. Maldonado guitars have been favored by many leading flamenco artists, including Vicente Amigo, Pepe Romero, Manuel Cano, Sergio Lara, Diego Vargas, Strunz and Farah, and numerous others.

As the prices of top-tier handmade concert guitars from Spain have surged in recent years, placing them out of reach for many players, I approached the Maldonados in 2015 with a challenge: how could they produce an affordable 1a concert guitar without compromising sound quality? The result was the Andalucía model. This guitar is built using the same master-grade, aged German spruce found in their highest-end models. To keep costs down, its decoration is simple but elegant, eschewing intricate mosaic rosettes, elaborate marquetry, and carved or inlaid headstocks. Additionally, it features a durable lacquer finish instead of French polish.

The Andalucía model is a true luthier-made flamenco guitar, delivering the power, burn, and snarl that define the flamenco tradition. It boasts firm, crisp basses, brilliant, vibrant trebles, and the precise setup demanded by professional flamenco players.