Luthiers from Around the World

The modern French name for luthier goes back to lute making. In the German-speaking world, the makers of stringed instruments were called violin makers, as violin was the generic term for various stringed instruments. However, violin makers also occasionally made plucked instruments such as lutes, mandolins, harps, guitars and hurdy-gurdies. Clear demarcations between the instrument makers were created later and regionally by professional associations. The craft of luthiers is usually divided into two main categories: Makers of stringed instruments that are plucked or bowed, and makers of stringed instruments that are bowed. Since stringed instruments require a bow, there is a sub-type in the second category known as a bow maker or archetier. Two important luthiers of the early 19th century who are associated with the development of the modern classical guitar are Louis Panormo and Georg Staufer. Antonio Torres Jurado is credited with developing the shape of the classical guitar that is still in use today. Christian Frederick Martin from Germany developed a form that evolved into the modern steel-stringed acoustic guitar.

Bernhard Kresse

Bernhard Kresse

Bernhard Kresse – Luthier & Stauffer Guitar Expert Bernhard Kresse builds guitars that most contemporary luthiers have never touched. His workshop in Germany produces instruments modeled on early 19th-century designs...

Bernhard Kresse

Bernhard Kresse – Luthier & Stauffer Guitar Expert Bernhard Kresse builds guitars that most contemporary luthiers have never touched. His workshop in Germany produces instruments modeled on early 19th-century designs...

The Pioneers of the Double-Top Guitar — Dammann and Wagner

The Pioneers of the Double-Top Guitar — Dammann...

Every so often, a single idea changes an instrument forever. For the classical guitar, one such moment came at the end of the 1980s in Germany, when two luthiers —...

The Pioneers of the Double-Top Guitar — Dammann...

Every so often, a single idea changes an instrument forever. For the classical guitar, one such moment came at the end of the 1980s in Germany, when two luthiers —...

John Gilbert

John Gilbert

The Legendary Luthier: John Gilbert Introduction John Gilbert, a name synonymous with exceptional guitar craftsmanship, has left an indelible mark on the world of string instruments. Revered by musicians and...

John Gilbert

The Legendary Luthier: John Gilbert Introduction John Gilbert, a name synonymous with exceptional guitar craftsmanship, has left an indelible mark on the world of string instruments. Revered by musicians and...

Donatella Salvato

Donatella Salvato

Donatella Salvato hails from a lineage of skilled wood carvers and inlayers, with a robust background in the crafts. She earned a diploma in Graphic Arts and pursued cello studies...

Donatella Salvato

Donatella Salvato hails from a lineage of skilled wood carvers and inlayers, with a robust background in the crafts. She earned a diploma in Graphic Arts and pursued cello studies...

Jonas Anatol Schneele

Jonas Anatol Schneele

Jonas Anatol Schneele develops his instruments within the Spanish tradition, complementing it with modern elements and contemporary guitar-making techniques. His approach to sound design follows the principles of acoustic physics...

Jonas Anatol Schneele

Jonas Anatol Schneele develops his instruments within the Spanish tradition, complementing it with modern elements and contemporary guitar-making techniques. His approach to sound design follows the principles of acoustic physics...

Thomas Friedrich

Thomas Friedrich

Thomas Friedrich completed his training at the violin-making school in Mittenwald in 2007. He subsequently gained extensive experience in new guitar construction and repair work before receiving his master craftsman’s...

Thomas Friedrich

Thomas Friedrich completed his training at the violin-making school in Mittenwald in 2007. He subsequently gained extensive experience in new guitar construction and repair work before receiving his master craftsman’s...

Sebastian Stenzel

Sebastian Stenzel

From a luthier’s notes: Sustain and the classical guitar Under the deliberately expansive title “Sustain, or the metaphysical position of the classical guitar in organology”, the author reflects on one...

Sebastian Stenzel

From a luthier’s notes: Sustain and the classical guitar Under the deliberately expansive title “Sustain, or the metaphysical position of the classical guitar in organology”, the author reflects on one...

Marco Lijoi

Marco Lijoi

Marco Lijoi entered the world of music at the age of four through the Suzuki method and the classical guitar. After graduating from a classical high school and completing one...

Marco Lijoi

Marco Lijoi entered the world of music at the age of four through the Suzuki method and the classical guitar. After graduating from a classical high school and completing one...

Stefanos Poligenis

Stefanos Poligenis

For this luthier, learning never stops. Every guitar that is built brings new insights, inspires new ideas and contributes to continuous development. He learned his craft from master guitar maker...

Stefanos Poligenis

For this luthier, learning never stops. Every guitar that is built brings new insights, inspires new ideas and contributes to continuous development. He learned his craft from master guitar maker...

Philipp Neumann

Philipp Neumann

www.neumann-gitarren.de Each guitar is the result of a long and intensive building process in which the luthier draws on extensive knowledge and experience to achieve the highest possible quality. For...

Philipp Neumann

www.neumann-gitarren.de Each guitar is the result of a long and intensive building process in which the luthier draws on extensive knowledge and experience to achieve the highest possible quality. For...

Marco Maguolo

Marco Maguolo

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...

Marco Maguolo

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...

Lucio Antonio Carbone

Lucio Antonio Carbone

Lucio Antonio Carbone Lucio Antonio Carbone was born in Milan in 1959 and is one of Italy's most respected self-taught luthiers. He built his very first guitar in 1976, purely...

Lucio Antonio Carbone

Lucio Antonio Carbone Lucio Antonio Carbone was born in Milan in 1959 and is one of Italy's most respected self-taught luthiers. He built his very first guitar in 1976, purely...

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