Gerardo Centonze

Luthier

©Giorgio Ghezzi

Classical simplicity and refined rosettes

Gerardo builds classical guitars following the Spanish method
His models are a personal reworking of famous historical guitars
His style is clean and refined, never too heavily decorated with details

In his early twenties, Gerardo Centonze was so passionate about guitars that he was no longer content only playing them. He began to acquire more and more instruments, to study, dismantle, modify and rebuild them, until he decided to make this exercise his profession. After graduating from the Civic School of Violin Making in Milan, Gerardo completed an apprenticeship in the workshop of Maestro Mirko Borghino. He then worked with Maestro Lorenzo Lippi, a renowned Italian guitar and mandolin maker, who taught him the art of restoring antique instruments and building classical guitars. Concurrently, Gerardo set up his own workshop, specialising in classical guitar construction in the Spanish tradition. "My guitars are not replicas of ancient models. On the contrary, they are unique and recognisable as I add my own qualities," he explains.

Interview

©Giorgio Ghezzi

What are your signature features from an aesthetic point of view?: I have developed my own headstock and rosette designs, that make my instruments recognisable. Overall, if I have to define my style, I would call it simple and clean. I like my guitars to look finely crafted, but not overly heavy with details.
Which technical features have become your specialism?: In terms of construction, I studied my own reworking of a famous historical instrument, built by the German luthier Hermann Hauser with the Spanish method I mentioned above. I have two models: the standard and the deluxe one. For the latter, I use the finest wood.
What do you like the most about your craft?: Lutherie is a meditative craft: I like its solitary, contemplative side. But most of all, it is extremely satisfying to turn an idea into a real object, taking care of the whole process and its many stages. The result is not always as expected and what a joy it is when it is even better!
What challenge do you face in your work?: Guitars are made of wood, and wood is highly affected by humidity. If the difference in humidity between the workshop and the place where the guitar will 'live' is too high, there is a risk of warping or cracking. So, you need to know where the instrument will go, and keep the lab humidity under control accordingly.

Gerardo Centonze is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2012