How do you choose to become a luthier?
«I was not born a luthier because at the beginning I dedicated myself to medical studies. My passion for lutherie began later when I approached the classical guitar which I played with great passion. In those years I had the opportunity to attend and take advantage of the teachings of José Romanillos. This experience of mine with one of the greatest and most capable guitar builders has undoubtedly passed on invaluable teachings to me and suggested precious solutions in the construction of fine guitars ».
What skills is essential to possess to build a musical instrument such as a classical guitar?
«I believe that it is essential to learn to“ feel ”wood, a material that is always alive and pulsating, and to appreciate the simplicity of the project and the essentiality of the construction as a prerequisite for obtaining an instrument with strong expressive characteristics.
My guitars, according to the most authentic Spanish tradition, are built completely by hand in all their technical and decorative details, such as the sober decorations and inlays that result from combinations of natural woods. In my laboratory I keep various boards of Swiss firs, ready to be used after a long and delicate period of seasoning and aging ».
Who are your extraordinary guitars used by?
«The very few guitars that I manage to produce annually are aimed at demanding and sensitive lovers of music and the instrument as a protagonist. The influence of the long Arab dominance in Spain is manifested in the decoration that the luthier still makes today with inlays placed especially around the "hole". These are generally geometric motifs that constitute the manufacturer's "signature". I make them myself, based on original designs, using veneers of different thicknesses with exclusively natural colors ».
Each luthier usually puts a sort of "signature" on every guitar produced ...
«The influence of the long Arab dominance in Spain is manifested in the decoration that the luthier still realizes today with inlays placed especially around the" hole ". These are generally geometric motifs that constitute the manufacturer's "signature". I make them myself, based on original designs, using veneers of different thicknesses with exclusively natural colors ».
Entering the workshop of a luthier means discovering a sort of magical cave where the scent of wood mixes with the smell of the essences used to paint the instrument ...
«On instruments built with the utmost care, a high level and technical finish is required: the traditional shellac coating. Only this long and onerous procedure is able to give the right brightness and depth to the wood. The sound performance is clearly superior to that obtained from instruments painted with modern paints, which are more durable but too rigid ».
Alongside the creation of new instruments, are you also involved in restoration work?
«For many years, in addition to the construction of guitars, I have been carrying out a restoration activity that has allowed me to examine many precious instruments of great luthiers of the past, obtaining precious lessons from them each time. Alongside guitars, I was thus able to build instruments such as violins, violas and cellos ».
www.moccettiguitars.com
