Sounds of the Neighborhood: Luthier Workshop on Cra 5

Historical or Contextual Introduction

In the San Antonio neighborhood of Cali, known for its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and bohemian life, there is a place that doesn't appear in tourist guides or on Google Maps. It is a luthier workshop hidden behind a laundromat, at Cra 5 #1-23. There, since 1988, Don Óscar has repaired guitars, tiples, bandolas, and even instruments that seem like they came from a dream. It is not an art gallery or an Instagrammable space: it is a workshop where the smell of varnish mixes with the sound of 60s music, cats wander among wood shavings, and improvised trova fills Thursday afternoons.

San Antonio is a neighborhood that breathes music. From the peñas at the Plazoleta de San Antonio to rehearsals in private homes, the musical tradition is part of its DNA. But few know that the heart of that tradition beats in Don Óscar's workshop, a luthier who learned the trade from his grandfather in Popayán and came to Cali in the 80s to stay. Today, in May 2026, his workshop remains a refuge for amateur musicians, vinyl collectors, and artisans looking for something authentic: an instrument repaired by expert hands, not machines.

This article is for you, who want to discover a place where music is not sold, it is built. Where every string has a story and every visit is an opportunity to learn, listen, and share.

Portrait of Don Óscar: The Luthier of Cra 5

Don Óscar is 67 years old, with a white beard that looks carved from cedar wood and hands that have repaired over 5,000 instruments. His workshop, a space of about 20 square meters, is full of tools hanging on the walls, boxes of strings stacked on the floor, and photos of musicians who have passed through: from anonymous troubadours to artists of Cali salsa who once needed an emergency repair before a concert.

"I started in 1988, when this neighborhood was quieter and people would come to play guitar on the corners," says Don Óscar while adjusting the bridge of a tiple. "Now there are more tourists, but the workshop is still the same. I wouldn't trade the smell of varnish for anything."

His specialty is nylon-string guitars, typical of Colombian Andean music and trova. But he also repairs electric instruments, tiples, bandolas, requintos, and even some violins. "Every instrument has its personality. A Spanish guitar is not the same as an acoustic one. You have to listen to them, feel the wood," he says.

What makes Don Óscar special is not just his technique, but his patience. He can spend hours sanding a soundboard or adjusting a truss rod. And while he works, he plays music from the 60s: The Beatles, Los Panchos, Julio Jaramillo. "That music relaxes me. Plus, the cats enjoy it," he says, pointing to two felines sleeping on a pile of shavings.

How Don Óscar Came to San Antonio

Don Óscar was born in Popayán, where his grandfather was a luthier by trade. "My grandfather made guitars for the city's musicians. I learned by watching him, since I was a child. By age 12, I already knew how to change strings and adjust tuning pegs." In the 80s, he moved to Cali looking for more opportunities. "San Antonio welcomed me with open arms. There were many peñas, many musicians. They needed someone who knew how to repair instruments. So I opened the workshop here, on Cra 5."

Since then, his workshop has been a meeting point. "People come here from music students to ladies who find an old guitar at the flea market. Everyone is welcome."

The Workshop Today: A Living Space

Don Óscar's workshop is not a quiet place. It sounds like music, soft hammering, conversations between musicians. There is a sign at the entrance that says: "We repair any instrument, except bad moods." And the cats, named things like "Cuerda" and "Traste," are part of the scenery.

"The cats are my assistants," jokes Don Óscar. "One brings me the strings, the other sits on the bench while I work. They are good company."

What to Do: The Luthier Workshop as an Experience

Visiting Don Óscar's workshop is not just about leaving an instrument for repair. It is an experience that combines learning, music, and community. Here's what you can do if you decide to stop by Cra 5 #1-23.

1. Repair Your Instrument

If you have an out-of-tune guitar, a tiple with a loose bridge, or a bandola with worn frets, Don Óscar is your man. Prices are affordable: a string change costs from $15,000 COP, a bridge repair from $40,000 COP, and a full restoration can go up to $150,000 COP, depending on the instrument. "I always charge fairly. I don't like to rip off musicians," he says.

Practical tip: Call ahead to the number on the door (we don't publish it because it changes often) or just show up. Don Óscar is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, but Thursdays are special because he stays open until 8pm for the trova.

2. Listen to Trova Rehearsals on Thursdays

On Thursdays at 6pm, the workshop turns into an improvised stage. Musicians from the neighborhood arrive with their guitars, tiples, and voices to sing trova. There are no microphones, no lights. Just people sitting on wooden benches, sharing songs about love, life, and Cali.

"Trova is music of the soul. It doesn't matter if you sing well or badly, what matters is feeling it," says Don Óscar. Entry is free, but it's appreciated to bring something to share: a beer, a coffee, or just a willingness to listen.

Fun fact: Some Thursdays, Don Óscar takes out his own guitar and joins the circle. He says he learned to play trova by listening to the musicians who came to his workshop. "I never took lessons. I learned by listening."

3. Discover Unusual Instruments

Don Óscar has repaired instruments that seem straight out of a storybook. Here is a list of 5 that have passed through his hands:

• A tiple with fishing line strings: An improvisational musician arrived with a tiple that had fishing nylon strings. "It sounded weird, but it worked. I changed them for original strings and the owner almost cried with emotion," recalls Don Óscar.
• An electric guitar made from a cigar box: A local artisan built a guitar from a cigar box and recycled pickups. "It didn't sound very good, but it had style. I adjusted the neck and it became playable."
• A toy violin: A little girl came with a plastic violin she had inherited from her grandmother. "It wasn't a real instrument, but I put real strings on it and managed to make it sound. The girl was happy."
• A bandola with guitar strings: A llanera music musician needed a bandola but only had guitar strings. Don Óscar adapted the strings and the instrument sounded like never before. "It was a challenge, but I did it."
• A double bass made from a washtub: Yes, you read that right. A blues musician built a double bass from a metal washtub, a broomstick, and a nylon string. "It wasn't in tune, but it had character. I repaired it and the guy played it at a peña."

4. Buy Strings and Accessories

At the workshop, Don Óscar sells strings for guitar, tiple, bandola, and requinto at reference prices for May 2026: from $10,000 COP to $35,000 COP, depending on the brand and type. He also has picks, straps, and some used cases. "I'm not a store, but I have the basics so musicians don't stop playing."

Where to Eat or Drink Near the Workshop

After visiting Don Óscar, you'll surely get hungry or thirsty. San Antonio is full of options for all tastes. Here are some recommendations near Cra 5.

Option 1: Café San Antonio

Two blocks from the workshop, at Calle 4 with Cra 5, is Café San Antonio. It's a small place with sidewalk tables, ideal for a black coffee or a coconut lemonade. Prices range from $4,000 COP for a coffee to $12,000 COP for a large drink. Open Monday to Saturday, 8am-8pm.

Option 2: La Terraza de San Antonio

At the Plazoleta de San Antonio, a five-minute walk away, is La Terraza. It's a restaurant with a panoramic view of Cali. They serve typical dishes like bandeja paisa ($25,000 COP), sancocho de gallina ($18,000 COP), and empanadas ($3,000 COP each). Open daily, 11am-10pm.

Option 3: Empanada Stand on Cra 5

On the same Cra 5, half a block from the workshop, there is an empanada cart that sells from 5pm to 10pm. The empanadas are filled with beef, chicken, and cheese, at $2,500 COP each. Perfect for eating while you walk.

Option 4: Craft Beer at La 5ta

At Cra 5 with Calle 2, there is La 5ta, a small bar that sells local craft beer. Prices start from $8,000 COP per pint. Open Thursday to Sunday, 6pm-12am. It's a good place to go after the Thursday trova rehearsal.

How to Get There and Transportation

Don Óscar's workshop is at Cra 5 #1-23, behind Lavandería El Sol. Getting there is easy, but you need to know how to get around San Antonio.

By Public Transport

• MIO: Take the San Antonio station (line T1) and walk south along Cra 5. It's about a 10-minute walk.
• Buseta: The busetas that go along Calle 4 (routes P47, P52) drop you off two blocks from the workshop.

By Taxi or App

Taxis in Cali are affordable. From downtown, a trip costs around $10,000 COP. From the north of the city, about $20,000 COP. Apps like Uber or Didi also work well. Tell the driver to take you to Cra 5 with Calle 1, in San Antonio.

Walking

If you are in the center of San Antonio (Plazoleta de San Antonio), walk south along Cra 5. The workshop is about 5 minutes away, hidden behind a white laundromat with a blue sign that says "Lavandería El Sol." Don't worry if it looks like a regular house: the workshop is in the back.

By Bicycle

San Antonio has ups and downs, but it's bikeable. There are public bike racks at the Plazoleta de San Antonio. The workshop doesn't have bike parking, but you can lock it to the laundromat's gate.

Local Tips

Here are some tips from a Caleño who has visited the workshop several times:

• Arrive early on Thursdays: The trova rehearsal starts at 6pm, but if you arrive at 5:30pm, you can talk to Don Óscar before it gets crowded. It's easier to learn his story and watch him work.
• Don't expect a fancy place: The workshop is a workspace. There are shavings on the floor, tools everywhere, and cats that climb on the instruments. If you're looking for an Instagrammable spot, this isn't it. But if you're looking for authenticity, it's perfect.
• Bring cash: Don Óscar doesn't have a card machine or accept transfers. Payments are in cash. There is an ATM at Calle 4 with Cra 6, a 5-minute walk away.
• Respect the space: The workshop is small. If there are many people, wait outside or help move benches. Don Óscar appreciates patience.
• Don't ask for express repairs: Don Óscar works calmly. If your instrument needs a complex repair, it can take several days. Ask for the estimated time before leaving the instrument.
• If you play an instrument, share: On Thursdays, after the trova, anyone can pick up a guitar and sing. Don't be shy. The idea is to share, not compete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Don Óscar repair electric instruments?

Yes, but his specialty is acoustic instruments. If you have an electric guitar or bass, he can handle basic issues like string changes, neck adjustments, or pickup soldering. For more complex repairs, he recommends going to a specialized technician. It's best to call ahead to confirm if he can help with your instrument.

How much does a typical repair cost?

Prices vary depending on the job. A string change costs from $15,000 COP, a bridge repair from $40,000 COP, and a full restoration of an acoustic guitar can cost up to $150,000 COP. These are reference prices for May 2026. It is recommended to consult directly with Don Óscar for an exact quote.

Can I visit the workshop just to see it without bringing an instrument?

Of course. Don Óscar welcomes visitors, especially on Thursdays during the trova rehearsal. You can come, say hello, watch him work, and listen to music. Just remember it's a small space, and if there are customers, it's best to wait your turn to talk to him.

Is there parking nearby?

There is no private parking at the workshop. On Cra 5, you can park on the street, but space is limited. We recommend arriving by taxi, buseta, or walking. If you come by car, look for parking on Calle 4 or at the Plazoleta de San Antonio, a 5-minute walk away.

Does Don Óscar teach luthier classes?

He doesn't give formal classes, but if you show interest and have patience, he explains how he does certain jobs. "I learned by watching, and that's how I teach," he says. If you want to learn, the best thing is to go early on a Thursday and ask if you can observe while he works. Don't expect a structured course, but rather a hands-on learning experience.

Final Invitation: Come by on Thursday at 6pm

If you've made it this far, you know that Don Óscar's workshop is not an ordinary place. It is a space where music is lived, built, and shared. It doesn't matter if you are a musician or just someone who wants to hear good trova: on Thursdays at 6pm, the door is open.

So now you know: come by on Thursday at 6pm to Cra 5 #1-23 (behind Lavandería El Sol) and bring your out-of-tune tiple. Don Óscar awaits you with his cats, his 60s music, and a willingness to share. It's not a gallery, it's not a show. It's the neighborhood, with its sounds and its soul.