About the luthier

Walter Verreydt was born in Lier in Belgium in 1958. After finishing his studies he began teaching woodworking and technical drawing. His combined affection for music and woodcraft naturally led him toward the construction of musical instruments. The classical guitar became his focus and from the very beginning in 1985 he was able to study outstanding examples by Bouchet, Fleta and Hernandez Aguado among others. He also maintained close contact with José Romanillos and Daniel Friederich which helped him to develop a deeply informed and personal approach to guitar making.

In 1999 he received the first prize at the fourth Mostra Concorso Internazionale di Chitarra Classica in Baveno in Italy. From 1988 until the end of 2020 he taught at the Centrum voor Muziekinstrumentenbouw in Puurs where he transmitted to his students an understanding of wood and of the discipline required in fine lutherie. Many of his students have since become respected makers. He is one of the initiators of the Leonardo Guitar Research Project which promotes the use of sustainable non tropical woods for acoustic instruments.

He is also one of the founders of the Cordefactum festival which from 2004 to 2018 brought luthiers together for concerts, lectures, workshops and exhibitions. Since 2021 he has been hosting professional meetings, masterclasses and specialised courses in guitar making. Alongside his own workshop, these courses form an important part of his activity since he considers the education of young makers and the sharing of knowledge an essential mission.

In October 2024 he received the Chitarra d’Oro award at the twenty ninth Convegno Internazionale di Chitarra in Milan. His instruments are played by Andrea De Vitis, Gaëlle Solal, Daniela Rossi, Fernando Espi, Johan Fostier, Juan Almada, Marc Teicholz, Odair Assad, Oman Kaminsky, Pavel Steidl, Pablo Garibay, Piera Dadomo and many others.

About the guitar

This new lattice model from 2025 shows the refined craftsmanship for which Walter Verreydt is admired. The spruce top and Indian rosewood body are finished throughout with French polish and the guitar is remarkably lightweight. Its construction invites the player to listen closely to the evolution of each note. Klaus Scheller tuning machines complete the instrument with dependable mechanical accuracy.

In sound it displays the softness and gentle response characteristic of Verreydt’s lattice work yet the tone remains rooted in a traditional core. Every note blooms with a delicate veil of overtones that gives the guitar its unmistakable charm. The balance is exceptional across all registers which allows the player to shape voices with ease. Each note resonates effortlessly. Layering independent lines becomes almost instinctive and the sustain captivates the player and the listener. The instrument behaves like a small orchestra waiting to be directed and each of its six strings feels like a separate character ready to respond.

Walter Verreydt

Walter Verreydt - 2025 Lattice