About the luthier

Giancarlo Nannoni has been devoted to guitar making since 1994. His path into the craft grew out of both musical practice and independent study. As a young musician he played guitar and other instruments across different styles, but a decisive impression came during his violin studies, when he encountered the workshop of the luthier Contavalli in Imola. The materials, tools, and atmosphere of that workshop left a lasting mark and gradually led him toward instrument making.

Nannoni approached guitar making largely as a self taught researcher, grounding his work in long study of the physics and acoustics of the classical guitar. Over the years he examined historical instruments in museums and private collections and closely studied the work of important makers from earlier generations. This investigative habit became central to his own method, in which observation, comparison, and structural reasoning all play an important role.

From the early years of his career, Nannoni was invited to exhibitions in numerous Italian cities and gave lectures on guitar making in both public and private institutions. His work has also been shaped through regular exchange with musicians, whose practical insight has remained an important reference point. Today his guitars are played in Italy and abroad by conservatory teachers and young concert players, including prize winners of major international competitions.

About the guitar

Asterope is a 2026 lattice bracing guitar by Giancarlo Nannoni, named after one of the Pleiades of Greek mythology, the nymphs transformed into stars. The instrument is built with a torrefied cedar soundboard and Madagascar rosewood back and sides, enriched by a Honduran cedar insert in the back. Even before one comes to the playing qualities, the concept is clearly defined: this is not a generic lattice design, but a guitar whose internal structure and material choices are directed toward a very specific tonal result.

According to Nannoni, the torrefied cedar used for this guitar showed lightness, elasticity, and an especially strong acoustic response during construction. That behaviour led him to adopt a lattice bracing pattern extending across the entire lower bout. The lattice itself is made to his own design and built entirely in wood, using thin spruce strips. This matters because the instrument does not aim at an artificial kind of power. Its voice is meant to remain natural, while gaining breadth, support, and a high degree of acoustic efficiency from the structure.

The resulting sound is shaped less by dryness or compression than by expansion and tonal presence. The trebles are bright and precise, giving the upper register clear projection and a distinct melodic edge. At the same time, the basses are deep and well defined, which keeps the lower register firm and intelligible rather than diffuse. This combination of luminous high notes and grounded low notes gives the guitar a broad tonal span without making it feel exaggerated.

Asterope therefore stands out not simply as a lattice bracing model, but as a carefully directed exploration of response, colour, and structural efficiency. The torrefied cedar contributes liveliness and readiness, while the wooden lattice helps the instrument speak with power and openness without losing naturalness. It is a guitar with a clear concept behind it and a tonal profile built around precision above, depth below, and a resonant voice that remains musically composed.

Giancarlo Nannoni

Giancarlo Nannoni - 2026 Asterope