Barcelona, 1961.
In 1978 he joined the workshop of Luther Casa Parramón Barcelona, learning the techniques of construction and restoring for a period of 8 years.
In 1986 he set up his own lutherie studio and shop at Elisabeth Street No. 2-4 Barcelona, to engage in the construction and restoration of violin, viola and cello.
Since then, he establishes professional relations with various European luthiers and bow makers: Jean Pascal Nehr, Stèphan Muller, Xavier Walger, Francesco Toto, Fredèric Hugues Cahudière, Nicolas Gilles, Wolfram Neureither, C. Destannes, Règis Bury, Nadia Mantovani, Bruce Carlson, Fausto Cacciatori, Bernard Neumann, Pullot, David Bagué, Rafael D.C. Montemayor, Thomas Bertrand, Pierrer Nehr, Gil Nehr, Benoit Charon, Emilio Slaviero, Mathijs Adriaan Heyligers, Lorenzo Locatelli, Wolfgang Schnabl, Haiko Seiffert, Robert B. Young, Jason Starkie, Rudolf Neudörfer, Heiko Wunderlich, Thomas Meuwissen, Yannick Le Canu, etc. and participates in diferent conferences, congresses and stages to extend his training and knowledge.
In 1999 he extended his workshop and store and moved it to Girona street. 124 Barcelona.
In 2004 the Catalonia Craft Commission – Government of Catalonia – Department of Trade, Tourism and Consumer Affairs granted him the diploma of Craftsman Luthier’s Master Luthier’s.
In 2005 the company Xavier Vidal Roca, SL receives the award for Best Commercial Establishment of Barcelona in 2004, awarded by the City Council within the campaign Barcelona, the best shop in the world to be an international reference in city in its field: construction, restoration and sale of string instruments.
In 2007, from April 18 to May 27, organized along with his fellow luthier and member of GLAE David Bagué, and the guitar maker Jose Melo, the exhibition titled “Tradition and Modernity: Luthier and Guitar maker, from the wood to the sound” in the facilities d’Artesania de Catalunya -Generalitat de Catalunya, where, in addition to the exhibition, they organized various activities such as conferences and concerts.
With over 35 years of professional experiences since 1978, he has also played a significant role in teaching and dissemination of the trade. In his workshop he has trained luthiers such as: Francesca Oller i Aubia, Lluis Martínez Sayas, Isaías Lumbreras Abia, Eduardo Bosque Miñana, Clara Soldevila Carbonell, Tanja Hidde, David Desbois, Alexis de Pauw, Jacques Toussaint, Silke Lichtenberg, Andrea Bering and Marçal Serradesanferm.
Founding member of the AEML (Asociación Española de Maestros Luthiers) after ALAE (Asociación de Luthiers y Arqueros de España) shich he was president between 2000 and 2003. Founding member and president between 2003 and 2007 GLAE (Gremio de Luthiers y Arqueros de España) where he has been actively involved in its development as association and union collaborating with other European associations and participating in international events.
He has presented several conferences in recognized music schools. He has also collaborated with different media and broadcasting, cultural organizations and public bodies.
His career is supported and recognized by prestigious professional musicians, cultural organizations, government agencies and its more than 9000 customers.
Xavier Vidal: “El manteniment dels instruments de corda”