Lucio Antonio Carbone – 2023 REG “La Italica”

Description

Lucio Antonio Carbone, born in 1959 in Milan, is a respected self-taught Italian luthier who built his first guitar in 1976 out of a pure hobby. Abandoning his studies in physics in the early ’80s, Carbone followed his passion and embarked on a journey into the professional world of guitar making. Initially, he was drawn to the American tradition of creating steel-stringed instruments. However, his career significantly turned in 1986 when he began crafting classical guitars. By 1989, his passion had led him to open a small store in Milan, adjacent to his workshop, selling guitars, strings, and other accessories. Carbone’s expertise and skill as a luthier attracted the attention of several prominent brands that began to rely on his workshop for customer service. This exposure and his work restoring 19th and 20th-century instruments allowed him to gain extensive knowledge about construction methods and procedures. He leveraged this experience to conduct seminars and courses in Conservatories and Universities and contribute to specialized magazines. Despite managing many responsibilities throughout his career, Carbone never ceased building guitars. In 2018, he fully committed to his original passion for guitar construction. His creations are heavily influenced by traditional Torres and Hauser style instruments, with a particular admiration for the latter due to their voice elegance and dynamic balance. Carbone meticulously selects and seasons his woods, using materials over 20 years old to ensure quality. Today, Lucio Antonio Carbone is revered for his commitment to the craft, the knowledge he has gained over the years, and his exceptional contributions to the world of Lutherie.

The 2023 Roma Guitar Expo was graced with the exquisite craftsmanship of Lucio Antonio Carbone’s special edition guitar, “LA ITALICA.” Rooted in the Italian guitar-making tradition, this instrument harkens back to when Guadagnini’s methods dominated until the Spanish construction style gained prominence in the 1930s. The “LA ITALICA” pays homage to the transitional period in Italian guitar-making when luthiers like Gallinotti, Giulietti, and Mozzani started incorporating elements of Spanish design yet maintained the aesthetic principles typical of the Italian tradition. A defining feature of this guitar is its back and sides, crafted from curly Italian Walnut, a wood widely used for luxury furniture and carving but has since become rare and expensive. Further enhancing the instrument’s distinctness, the neck is crafted from a walnut piece salvaged from an old church bench. This element infuses the instrument with a sense of history and authenticity. The headstock, featuring a typically Italian design inspired by Mozzani and its joint with the neck, further contributes to the unique aesthetic appeal of the instrument. The soundboard, made from torrefied Italian Spruce sourced from Val di Fiemme, complements the walnut construction, ensuring an optimal acoustic response. “LA ITALICA” also incorporates a rosette, echoing the famous guitar made by Stradivari, “LA SABBIONARI.” The ebony fingerboard, bindings, and headstock veneer provide a beautiful contrast to the warm hues of the walnut. In contrast, the French polish finish, subtly nuanced with colored spots on the heel and the headstock’s back, draws from the bow instrument tradition. However, the unique qualities of this guitar extend beyond its aesthetics. The sound profile of “LA ITALICA” is classically inclined, producing deep, velvety, yet well-focused bass notes coupled with precise, sweet trebles. The guitar resonates with fewer overtones than rosewood models but compensates with a warmer, more vibrant tone. The instrument’s bracing follows a five-strut fun bracing design, with a short underbridge pad and a subtle transverse bar between the bridge and the hole harmonic bar, providing enhanced structural stability and sound quality. Lucio Antonio Carbone’s “LA ITALICA” stands out at the 2023 Roma Guitar Expo as an exquisite tribute to a pivotal period in the history of Italian guitar-making, combining traditional design elements with exceptional craftsmanship and superior materials.

Watch the presentation video of this particular guitar below, where you will find a lot of additional information about its playability and sound.