Jérôme Casanova

Luthier

©Galerie Casanova

Music through the ages

Jérôme specialises in making classical guitars
He also restores old instruments
He has co-written a book on the Spanish guitar

A great music lover and a master luthier, Jérôme Casanova describes his work as vital energy. Driven by his passion for musical culture, he soon turned to the craft of instrument making, where he saw the opportunity to combine music and manual work. Jérôme specialises in plucked string instruments, mostly guitars. Classic, baroque, electric, his knowledge covers all periods and regions; he can restore guitars dating back to the 18th century. While his workshop in Clermont-Ferrand focuses on maintenance, fabrication and high-end restoration; his gallery, located in the heart of Paris, offers a fine selection of antique, renovated guitars on sale. From his broad knowledge of organology, Jérôme has developed his expertise.

Interview

©Galerie Casanova

©Galerie Casanova

What did you learn from training with different masters?: Learning the craft takes time. It is important to let go of prior ways of working in order to accept the knowledge of the master with whom you are working. The idea of exchange is also essential; to know how to bring value to the person who employs you.
What drives you in your craft?: I like the sound produced by the instruments, the way we arrange them. To “fabricate” the sound, to be able to transpose these sounds into a material object; there is something magical about it. The instruments have a soul, a singularity of their own.
How is your craft linked to your territory?: I'm linked to several territories. I work a lot with Spanish guitars, I sell manouches guitars which are part of the French guitar culture. I work with American guitars. My gallery is in the heart of Paris: a centre of international exchange.
Which of your skills is your specialisation?: The restoration of high-end guitars, which is linked to organology. I restore guitars from the late 17th to 20th century: I like to see the links between the periods. Knowing how to take a back seat to the author, to make the instrument playable, is essential.

Jérôme Casanova is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1996