Marco Maguolo
Marco Maguolo was born in 1976 in Mestre, near Venice, Italy. After completing his technical schooling, he initially pursued music as a performer, attending several classical guitar courses in preparation for the conservatory entrance exams. However, his fascination with the instrument soon shifted from playing to making: he built his first guitar on his own and then joined the workshop of the esteemed Maestro Mario Novelli, who became his mentor and shaped his early professional development. In autumn 2003, Maguolo left his previous occupations behind and devoted himself entirely to the art of classical guitar making.
Eager to broaden his craft, Maguolo expanded his training in several directions. He attended a bow service and repair course at the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan under maestro Pietro Cavalazzi, and pursued violin making at the Scuola di Liuteria di Pieve di Cento in Bologna with maestro Marcello Bellei. This multidisciplinary background has given him a uniquely broad understanding of stringed instrument construction, which informs his work as a guitar maker to this day.
Since 2004, Maguolo's reputation has grown rapidly, and his waiting list now includes guitarists from around the world. His instruments are regularly played in concerts internationally and have gained wide recognition for their tonal qualities, projection, and impeccable craftsmanship. Maguolo's signature "Ducale" model is perhaps his most celebrated creation — a heartfelt tribute to his Venetian roots. Its rosette is inspired by the colonnades of Venice's iconic Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), while the purfling proudly carries the colors of the Italian flag. The construction philosophy behind the Ducale focuses on a strong, lightweight architecture for the neck, sides, and back, supporting a light and highly responsive soundboard, with an original fan-bracing design that produces a warm, silky, and ever-changing sound.
More recently, Maguolo unveiled his "Ekphrasis" model, a special edition that retains the traditional qualities of a classical guitar while introducing a distinctive antiquing process on the soundboard. This technique, borrowed from the world of bowed string instruments, gives the wood a beautifully aged appearance while preserving a sparkling acoustic brilliance. The Ekphrasis is defined by rich harmonic complexity and silky, woody notes that lend the instrument a solemn, contemplative character. Through models like the Ducale and the Ekphrasis, Marco Maguolo continues to bridge tradition and innovation, crafting guitars that are at once deeply Italian in spirit and entirely his own.
