Departure
This year, Jonathan and Manuel, two members of the Siccas team, had the opportunity to attend Roma Expo Guitar 2023, held in the heart of Rome. The exhibition is organized by the Chitarra In Association and focuses on showcasing Italian classical guitar making, from emerging builders to internationally renowned masters.
The journey began early in the morning at 6 a.m. in Karlsruhe, with a flight departing from Stuttgart. Due to a traffic jam caused by a burned-out truck, arrival at the airport was delayed. With concerns about missing the flight, alternative plans were briefly considered. Ultimately, the airport was reached just ten minutes before check-in closed.
After landing in Rome, there was time to work from the hotel before spending the rest of the day exploring the city and enjoying Rome’s unique atmosphere.
Day 1
The trip to Piazza della Pilotta started early. Despite careful planning, the winding streets of Rome caused a short detour. Whether Manuel’s GPS was to blame remains an open question, but arrival at the expo was still ahead of schedule.
The day was dedicated to reconnecting with long-standing partners and meeting fellow guitar makers. A highlight was attending Gabriele Curciotti’s guitar comparisons, which revealed the outstanding quality of the instruments presented. Conversations, new encounters, and a few instrument acquisitions filled the rest of the day.
Day 2
The second day focused on exploring the world of guitar making in depth. The primary goal was to identify new opportunities for collaboration with skilled luthiers, an effort that proved highly successful.
Numerous guitars stood out through their craftsmanship, design, and tonal character. Several of these instruments will soon be represented by Siccas Guitars. The creativity and dedication of the makers left a lasting impression and confirmed the value of presenting their work to a broader audience.
Day 3
The highlight of the day was Alexandra Whittingham’s remarkable performance. She presented all REG 2023 Special Edition guitars built by the participating makers, revealing the individual tonal qualities of each instrument.
The performance offered both an acoustic and visual experience that emphasized the exceptional quality of the guitars. As the event came to an end, there was a strong sense of gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with such talented individuals.
Last Day
The journey did not conclude as planned. Due to a strike in Germany, the return flight was canceled, extending the stay in Rome by one additional night. This unexpected change allowed for more time to enjoy the city.
The team is already looking forward to the next edition of Roma Expo Guitar. CIAO!
