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.

Gabriele Lodi

Gabriele Lodi

Gabriele Lodi Gabriele Lodi is one of Italy's leading classical guitar makers and a widely recognized figure on the international lutherie scene. He continues the distinguished legacy of Liuteria Lodi,...

Gabriele Lodi

Gabriele Lodi Gabriele Lodi is one of Italy's leading classical guitar makers and a widely recognized figure on the international lutherie scene. He continues the distinguished legacy of Liuteria Lodi,...

Danilo Bazzana

Danilo Bazzana

Danilo Bazzana Danilo Bazzana was born in Milan in 1985 and is one of the most promising voices in contemporary Italian classical guitar making. His connection to the instrument began...

Danilo Bazzana

Danilo Bazzana Danilo Bazzana was born in Milan in 1985 and is one of the most promising voices in contemporary Italian classical guitar making. His connection to the instrument began...

Paolo Coriani

Paolo Coriani

Paolo Coriani Paolo Coriani is one of Italy's most respected master luthiers, based in Modena, with over four decades of experience crafting fine classical guitars. His journey into the world...

Paolo Coriani

Paolo Coriani Paolo Coriani is one of Italy's most respected master luthiers, based in Modena, with over four decades of experience crafting fine classical guitars. His journey into the world...

Marco Gilioli

Marco Gilioli

Marco Gilioli Marco Gilioli was born in Milan on 19 November 1987. With a lifelong passion for music, he first studied the piano, an instrument that accompanied him for more...

Marco Gilioli

Marco Gilioli Marco Gilioli was born in Milan on 19 November 1987. With a lifelong passion for music, he first studied the piano, an instrument that accompanied him for more...

Ennio Giovanetti

Ennio Giovanetti

Philosophy and Approach The construction of classical concert guitars began in 1998, after enrolling at the School of Lutherie in Milan with an initially different goal in mind. Through visits...

Ennio Giovanetti

Philosophy and Approach The construction of classical concert guitars began in 1998, after enrolling at the School of Lutherie in Milan with an initially different goal in mind. Through visits...

Erez Perelman

Erez Perelman

Philosophy of Craftsmanship I dedicate myself to building one instrument at a time – a unique creation thoughtfully crafted for the player. While batch production may be more efficient, experience...

Erez Perelman

Philosophy of Craftsmanship I dedicate myself to building one instrument at a time – a unique creation thoughtfully crafted for the player. While batch production may be more efficient, experience...

Enrico Bottelli

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...

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...

Felipe Conde – A guitar maker dynasty

Felipe Conde – A guitar maker dynasty

1882–1937: First Period “Domingo Esteso” Domingo Esteso is regarded as one of the most important guitar makers in the history of the Spanish guitar. He began as an apprentice in...

Felipe Conde – A guitar maker dynasty

1882–1937: First Period “Domingo Esteso” Domingo Esteso is regarded as one of the most important guitar makers in the history of the Spanish guitar. He began as an apprentice in...

Antonio Marin Montero

Antonio Marin Montero

Biography Antonio Marín Montero was born in Granada in 1933. Without a family background in guitar making, he entered the craft through various marquetry workshops and overcame numerous challenges along...

Antonio Marin Montero

Biography Antonio Marín Montero was born in Granada in 1933. Without a family background in guitar making, he entered the craft through various marquetry workshops and overcame numerous challenges along...

Kazuo Sato and Hideo Sato

Kazuo Sato and Hideo Sato

Biography Kazuo Sato was born in Tokyo in 1946. In 1965 he began his training with the master luthier Kuniharu Nobe. In 1971 he continued his studies in Oxford with...

Kazuo Sato and Hideo Sato

Biography Kazuo Sato was born in Tokyo in 1946. In 1965 he began his training with the master luthier Kuniharu Nobe. In 1971 he continued his studies in Oxford with...

Vladimir Druzhinin

Vladimir Druzhinin

Biography Vladimir Druzhinin was born in 1983 in Novosibirsk, Russia, into a family of scientists. After completing high school with a focus on physics and mathematics, he entered Novosibirsk State...

Vladimir Druzhinin

Biography Vladimir Druzhinin was born in 1983 in Novosibirsk, Russia, into a family of scientists. After completing high school with a focus on physics and mathematics, he entered Novosibirsk State...

Rafal Turkowiak

Rafal Turkowiak

Biography Rafal Turkowiak was born on 9 January 1966 in Golanice near Leszno, Poland. Raised in a family of craftsmen, he was influenced early on by his father, a carpenter,...

Rafal Turkowiak

Biography Rafal Turkowiak was born on 9 January 1966 in Golanice near Leszno, Poland. Raised in a family of craftsmen, he was influenced early on by his father, a carpenter,...

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