I was born in Venice in 1960. I am self-taught person, but my training is technical-nautical. I initially started working with wood as a model maker and in 2003 I approached violin making. I tried to learn the most innovative techniques, always experimenting with various solutions, remaining tied to totally artisanal construction.
In fact, I only use solid wood in various essences from my usual trusted suppliers, using shellac pad varnishing. I am very demanding on the first choice woods I use and of course I hand varnish in the French style with shellac wick.
I am very tied to the typical construction of the two schools of violin making, both Italian and Spanish, I do not like to use composite materials such as carbon, kevlar or epoxy resins for the final characteristics of sound rendering which in my personal taste changes the sound considerably.
I am also very demanding in the selection of woods I use, especially for the back and sides because I try to find something unique to make the instrument special also on an aesthetic level, this in order to create its distinctive and unique character.
I use two types of wood for the soundboard: cedar and red spruce from Val di Fiemme, made famous by the historic violin maker Antonio Stradivari for his violins. The characteristic of red spruce is its brilliant sound and that with the passing of the years of seasoning it improves more and more. This is due to the fact that with the use of the instrument the resins contained in its internal channels disintegrate, making the musical instrument mature and improve.
Every classical guitar has its own sound identity, this is because wood, being a natural product, has different sound responses as if it were a fingerprint, in fact there are no two guitars that sound the same.
My laboratory is located in the historic center of Venice exactly in the Sestiere di Castello 1240 in the only street in Venice, Via Garibaldi, located in the middle between the historic arsenal and the Biennale D’arte a few minutes from Piazza San Marco, where I receive my musician friends to be able to try my instruments in a dedicated space, furthermore in the laboratory you have the possibility to try some instruments that are ready and available.
Contact:
guidocapitanio.it or liuteriavenexiana.it
instagram.com/liutaio_guido_capitanio/
facebook.com/Venexianlutier