Enrico Bottelli
Individual Construction
Each of my instruments is built individually in my workshop and belongs to an extremely limited production, aiming for the highest possible quality in all four essential aspects of luthiery: workmanship, aesthetics and decorations, materials selection and finishing (French-polished shellac), sound and playability.
Materials and Craftsmanship
Every element is treated with the same uncompromising dedication, great care, time and patience. This becomes immediately apparent upon close inspection. The spruce tops come from the European Alps; backs and sides are typically Brazilian rosewood or premium Indian rosewood. Necks are crafted from Central American mahogany or cedrela, and the fingerboard is made from African or Indian quartered black ebony.
All woods are air-seasoned for a minimum of five years, though I rarely use material with fewer than ten years of natural aging. Wood selection for each instrument is made personally, considering aesthetic qualities, physical properties, and the customer’s preferences regarding sound, playability and appearance.
Construction and Details
All braces applied to the soundboard are strength-tested through deflection testing. Traditional hot animal glue is used throughout the entire instrument to ensure optimal transmission of vibrations.
All decorative elements — mosaic rosette, bindings, purflings — are designed and crafted by hand in my workshop using only natural solid woods, never dyed materials. Every detail, from the headstock and bindings to the neck profile, heel and bridge, receives meticulous attention. The interior of the guitar is finished with the same refinement as the exterior, polished with extra-fine sandpaper for optimal wave reflection.
Sound and Playability
Intonation receives special focus, with a compensated nut and saddle. The finish on the entire instrument is French-polished shellac, chosen for its exceptional acoustic and visual qualities.
Accessories and Guarantee
I use only the highest-quality accessories — Sloane, Alessi or Rodgers tuners, and Hiscox or Ika cases. Each instrument is a unique piece, slightly different from the others, the result of continuous refinement toward greater beauty, elegance and tonal perfection. When properly cared for, all instruments are guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials.
