Handcrafting Guitars for Over 90 Years

The 1st Generation: Two Orphans-Two Families-One Business

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Porfirio Delgado-Flores (1913-2000) and Candelario Delgado-Flores (1910-1983) were brothers and orphans born in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. Circumstances dictated that they would be raised apart by two different families. Porfirio was adopted by his Aunt who immediately put him to work as a laborer. Candelario was adopted by a family with some means affording him a formal education. Porfirio’s trade was that of a carpenter but was exposed to music as a child learning to dabble in the violin. Candelario was a businessman, had a passion for the guitar, and always kept the big picture in mind. 

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The Competitor and the Visionary 

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Every so often, Porfirio’s carpenter friends would have a competition to see who could build the most impressive item made from wood.  Candelario was aware of these competitions and the visionary side of him convinced Porfirio to make a guitar.  He had noticed that there were not that many luthiers (guitar builders) and perhaps this could lead to an opportunity. Candelario was right! Once he presented his guitar to the community, demand began to rise.  However, they could only sell a guitar for 3 pesos and their cost to build one was 5! Regardless, they continued to build out of passion which led to higher demand from local musicians for their instruments. Candelario’s business acumen helped him drive down costs and ultimately convince Porfirio to open the first shop in Juarez Mexico.

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Growth and Artists

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The shops reputation grew from word of mouth. Eventually a second shop opened in Tijuana which led to opportunities to work with some of Mexico’s greatest artists: Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”, Miguel Aceves Mejia, Marcello Chavez, “TinTan”, Hermanos Villa, Los Tres Cahelleros (who played in various Walt Disney films), Trio Urquiza, Pepe Gamboa (a custom three-neck guitar) and Eduardo Ruiz (who played lead for Desi Arnaz). Uncle Candelas enjoyed handcrafting guitars but his chief contribution was managing business operations of both stores. Porfirio was content to stay in Torreon building guitars that would supply both stores. 

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An unlikely trade

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The business did so well in Tijuana that they ventured north at a friend’s request to display their products in Los Angeles. Unbeknownst to Porfirio, Candelario had arranged not to sell the guitars but to barter them in exchange for television sets. Although there was inherent risk involved in the transaction, the upside was that the brothers now had their guitars displayed in a large U.S. market. Candelas knew that televisions were in great demand in Mexico and that they would recoup their money and maybe more. The risk paid off. The brothers sold the guitars and after a few short months, the electronics retailer made an order for more guitars. The plan worked. The brothers had arrived to America. 

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New Beginnings and the 2nd Generation

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In 1947 the next Candelas store opened on Cesar Chavez Ave (formerly Brooklyn Ave) in the Boyle Heights District of Los Angeles. It was a hit and with the rise in popularity of the Classical guitar, folk, and Mariachi music, a 4th shop was opened on 1066 Sunset Blvd. With four stores in two countries, the brothers were stretched thin. By 1967 just having left the army, Porfirios son Candelario (named after his uncle), joined the family business. 

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Candelario possessed the skills of both his father and uncle, had skills for running a business, played guitar and enjoyed building. He was dedicated enough to build on the legacy that the two founders created: building handcrafted quality guitars instead of giving in to the popular temptation of machine-built models. The shops were booming and a fifth store was added in Hollywood. Like the experience in Tijuana, more artists found the shop including: Jose Feliciano, Arlo Guthrie and Hoyt Axton as well as the most famous Mariachi bands of the time.

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Father time and restructuring 

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By the 80s the shop and brothers would hit some set backs.  The brothers now in their 60s began experiencing health problems. Candelario battled cancer and would soon pass. The fourth shop was poorly situated which led to its closure. With the loss of one of the founding brothers, management of the stores in Mexico was not possible and they closed as well.  Even Porfirios own son Candelario began battling his own health problems as well. Things had to slow down. Ultimately, consolidation proved to be a sound business decision because production and repairs became centralized allowing for a more controlled cost structure. The only store that remained at this point was on Cesar Chavez Ave. 

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The Third Generation-A father and three children

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Candelario and Porfirio continued building. Health ever on their mind and with more past than future ahead of them, how would Candelas move forward? Candelario had three children. His daughter gravitated toward academia which he supported whole heartedly. Tomas, his oldest son, came to work for his father at 19 so he could take a vacation and never left. Manuel, his youngest, was considering a career path in law enforcement.  Like in most traditional families, the eldest son is groomed to take on the weight of a family business. This in many ways makes the work of the youngest son different and their own. 

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Tomas took over Candelas after the passing of his father, becoming its 3rd generation luthier. Nostalgic for the guitar he built when he was 11, Manuel came to work for Tomas and apprenticed for five years. Looking to stand on his own, Manuel decided to move on and create his own path. Each guitar handmade by Tomas continues the family tradition of using the finest woods and highest construction standards.  This allows him to produce standard or custom instruments that are rich in tone, beauty, and soul. To learn more about Tomas Delgado and Candelas in the present day, please click here or above on Tomas Delgado.