Raoul Aldrovandi - 2025 No. 11 "Marea"
Raoul Aldrovandi - 2025 No. 11 "Marea"
Details
Details
Overview
Overview
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Shipping important note
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Details about GPSR
Details about GPSR
Video overview
More details about the guitar
About the luthier
Raoul Aldrovandi did not arrive at guitar making by a conventional route. After initially beginning university studies in engineering, he soon recognised that his real interests lay in working with wood and shaping objects by hand. He left his studies and developed practical experience in carving, sculpture, and turning while working as a carpenter. A decisive turning point came when he attended a classical guitar concert, an experience that led him first to the instrument itself and then to the idea of uniting craftsmanship and sound through guitar making.
He later completed a guitar making course with Pablo Requena and gradually established an approach that reflects both technical discipline and artistic curiosity. Influenced by makers such as Mario Garrone, Giuseppe Cuzzucoli, and Trevor Gore, Aldrovandi approaches the guitar as a system in which each structural decision has an acoustic consequence. His instruments are informed by careful observation of materials, measured evaluation of their properties, and a clear wish to connect traditional handwork with a thoughtful, investigative design process.
About the guitar
This 2026 guitar, No. 11 “Marea”, is a modern instrument with spruce top, wenge back and sides, radial bracing, and French polish. Aldrovandi chose the radial bracing concept מתוך a particular fascination with the possibilities this structure offers. In his own account, the scheme appealed to him because it can partly compensate for the orthotropic nature of spruce, while also allowing the use of a slightly thinner soundboard with reduced internal friction. He also designed the bracing so that all areas of the top are connected directly to the bridge through the structure itself. These decisions are central to the guitar’s behaviour and help explain its immediacy, openness, and ease of response.
The name “Marea”, meaning “Tide”, comes from a personal and symbolic line of thought that accompanied the making of the instrument. Aldrovandi associated the image of the tide with the cyclical movement of emotions emerging from the depths, an idea linked in his reflection to the sea as a symbol of the unconscious. He describes this as a wish entrusted to the player, that emotions may flow freely and naturally through the instrument. The name therefore does not function as decoration, but as a poetic extension of the guitar’s identity.
In sound, “Marea” is notably responsive and easy under the hand. The notes speak quickly and the guitar offers a powerful, open voice filled with overtones, yet without losing clarity or becoming heavy. There is real presence in the sound, but also enough definition to follow each note individually. The sustain is strong, including in registers that can sound short on other guitars, and the instrument maintains a natural sense of projection without hardness. The overall impression is of a guitar that combines modern responsiveness with tonal richness and a comfortable, cooperative playing feel.
Regular care extends the life of the instrument
Even with careful use, a classical guitar may gradually change in appearance or respond to unstable storage conditions. Have a close look at your guitar regularly and be attentif to changes. If your instrument is suffering from its environement, it will let you know.
Protect Your Guitar: Handle with Care
Be mindful when touching your instrument with greasy or unwashed hands: any skin contact is a small attack on the varnish. Of course, a guitar is made to be played, but taking a few precautions helps preserve its beauty: wash your hands before playing, wear long sleeves, and avoid unnecessary direct skin contact with the body of the instrument.
Pro tip: Avoid playing with a button-up shirt, heavy jewelry, or a belt, as these can scratch the guitar. Also, make sure your guitar case is free of any objects that could damage the instrument during storage.
String care
A good habit to adopt is wiping down your strings briefly after each playing session. This small action significantly extends their lifespan and helps maintain a consistent, comfortable feel under your fingers.
Most importantly, clean strings are essential for keeping your instrument in tune. Corrosion, sweat, and dust can affect the uniformity of the strings and interfere with accurate tuning across the entire fingerboard.
Pro tip: If you're having trouble getting your guitar in tune, it might be time to change the strings. A useful test is to compare the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret; if there's an unusually large gap between them, your strings may have lost their integrity and should be replaced.
Keep Your Shellac Finish Shining!
Got a guitar with a shellac (French polish) finish? Here's a simple trick: Take a clean microfiber cloth and gently breathe on the surface to create a light mist. Then, softly rub to remove fingerprints, sweat, and grease. That’s usually all it takes to keep it looking great, no products needed!
Pro tip: Every few years, treat your guitar to a check-up with a luthier to keep it in top shape.
Storing Your Guitar: Climate Matters
Your guitar can safely stay outside its case, as long as the surrounding environment maintains 42–55% humidity and a temperature between 18–25°C.
Keep in mind that humidity levels can still fluctuate inside the case, especially during seasonal changes.
- Too much humidity may cause overtightened strings and a dull tone.
- Too little humidity can lead to a bulging top, string buzz, or even cracks.
Avoid placing your guitar near radiators, air conditioners, or windows with direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Always close your guitar case while playing. This helps preserve a stable microclimate inside the case, so your instrument is protected the moment you put it back in.