ITALICA: A Guitar Built by 20 Italian Master Luthiers
ITALICA is a singular classical guitar created through the collaboration of 20 Italian master luthiers, each contributing a specific element of their craft to a different part of the instrument. Conceived as a collective project, ITALICA stands as both a playable concert guitar and a statement about the depth, continuity, and shared values of Italian luthiery.
The Concept Behind ITALICA
The idea behind ITALICA was to create an instrument that could speak not only through sound, but also through its method of construction. Rather than being built by a single maker, the guitar was assembled from parts crafted across Italy, each reflecting the approach and experience of its respective luthier. The result is an instrument that embodies cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared artistic vision.
Beyond its collaborative nature, the project was designed to promote the use of Italian, non-tropical tonewoods. By deliberately avoiding commonly used exotic woods, the makers aimed to demonstrate the acoustic and aesthetic potential of native materials rooted in Italian instrument-making traditions.
A Tribute to Italian Luthiery
ITALICA is more than a guitar. It is a tribute to the long-standing tradition of Italian luthiery, which has played a central role in European instrument making since the Renaissance. The project reflects how this tradition has evolved without interruption, passing knowledge from one generation to the next while remaining open to new ideas.
The instrument was created in close connection with Roma Expo Guitars, a platform that brings together many of Italy’s leading guitar makers. Over the years, this community has fostered collaboration, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas between established masters and younger luthiers.
Inspiration and Design
As a point of reference, the makers looked to a classical guitar by Pietro Gallinotti from the 1950s. Gallinotti was among the first Italian luthiers to reinterpret the Spanish classical guitar model through an Italian sensibility. ITALICA follows this lineage, offering an Italian interpretation of the Spanish tradition, shaped by distinct approaches to thicknessing, resonance, and voicing.
Structurally and aesthetically, the guitar balances historical awareness with a contemporary outlook. The use of Italian woods such as pear, poplar, and figured walnut reflects materials historically used in Italian plucked instruments, while also creating a visually distinctive and coherent whole.
Sound, Aesthetics, and Identity
The tonal goal of ITALICA was to express what its makers describe as an Italian sound. In a culture shaped by bel canto, Italian luthiery traditionally values a singing, cantabile quality. This focus influenced every decision, from wood selection to thickness graduation and final voicing.
Visually, the guitar is warm, expressive, and deliberate in its contrasts. The rosette in particular serves as a symbolic focal point, representing the collective contribution of many hands and minds. Each element reflects careful coordination rather than uniformity.
The Luthiers Behind ITALICA
The following master luthiers participated in the creation of ITALICA, each contributing a dedicated part of the instrument:
Enrico Bottelli
Gerardo Centonze
Giuseppe Corasaniti
Adriano Devoto
Marco Dissegna
Romano Gambacorta
Marco Gilioli
Mario Grimaldi
Giacomo Guadagna
Liuteria Guarnieri
Miguel Ángel Gutierrez
Aldo Illotta
Lorenzo Lippi
Antonio Marchese
Daniele Marrabello
Eugenio Naso
Roberto Pozzi
Davide Serracini
Andrea Stanzione
Angelo Vailati
A Symbol of Togetherness
ITALICA stands as a symbol of community and continuity. It shows how individual artistry can merge into a coherent whole when guided by shared values. The guitar reflects the idea that collaboration may take more time, but can reach further, preserving tradition while opening paths for future generations of makers.
Documented by Siccas Guitars
Siccas Guitars documented the creation of ITALICA to provide insight into this exceptional project. The video captures the philosophy, materials, and craftsmanship behind one of the most distinctive collaborative classical guitars of recent years.
ITALICA offers a clear statement about Italian guitar making today: rooted in history, open to innovation, and strengthened through collaboration.
ITALICA ist eine einzigartige Konzertgitarre, die durch die Zusammenarbeit von 20 italienischen Meisterliuthern entstanden ist. Jeder der beteiligten Gitarrenbauer fertigte einen eigenen Teil des Instruments. Das Ergebnis ist nicht nur eine spielbare Konzertgitarre, sondern ein gemeinsames Statement zur Tiefe, Kontinuität und Identität der italienischen Gitarrenbaukunst.