The path of a life's true passion
- Listening is an essential part of Guido’s work
- Each type of wood has its own response and specific frequencies
- He is a completely self-taught musician and artisan
Guido Capitanio was born in Venice in 1960. At the age of 14, he began crafting wood as a shipwright, and received a technical and nautical education. He turned to music as a self-taught musician and it was only in his adult years that he built his own guitar for the very first time. In 2003, Guido's impeccable ear and insatiable curiosity led him to embark on a journey as a professional luthier. He is highly demanding when it comes to choosing materials: he only uses solid wood from trusted suppliers, and applies shellac varnish by hand. Guido learnt the most cutting-edge techniques, and continues to experiment with original and alternative solutions. He remains true to handcrafting techniques and places great importance on interacting with those who actually play the instruments he makes.
Interview
- Which woods do you prefer to use?
- Two types of wood are used for the soundboard: cedar and spruce. I only use spruce from Val di Fiemme. For the back and sides, many types of wood are used but in terms of sound, Indian, Brazilian or Madagascan rosewood, along with maple, cypress, plane, ziricote, walnut and cherry, are all used.
- What does having an atelier in Venice today mean to you?
- I am very attached to my city and would like it to be better protected from hit-and-run tourism. I am really passionate about my work. I am more interested in delivering a competitively-priced concert instrument that makes life easier for those who are starting out than I am in making money.
- What is the thing you love most about your work?
- Everything: from choosing the wood and looking into wood that has particular patterns, to the design and finishing phases. I like to experiment to create unique instruments, rather than replicating the works of the great string-instrument makers who made history.
- How do you understand the term 'well made'?
- For me it is about outstanding craftsmanship. Being able to create things entirely by hand, without any digital help. It takes me at least 300 hours to build an instrument, and I never stop exchanging ideas with musicians as a means of bettering myself.
Guido Capitanio is a master artisan: he began his career in 2003 and he started teaching in 2014
Where
Guido Capitanio
