Francesco Baccaglion (born 2000) is an Italian classical guitar maker based in Turin. Trained at the Accademia di Liuteria Piemontese San Filippo and in the workshop of Valerio Licari, he won First Prize in the classical category at the ninth Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition in Granada in 2026 with a guitar inspired by Santos Hernández. GSI is Francesco's exclusive dealer in the USA.
At a Glance
- Born: 2000, Turin, Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Workshop: Turin, Italy
- Training: Accademia di Liuteria Piemontese San Filippo, Turin (from 2019)
- Teacher: Valerio Licari
- Influences: Santos Hernández and his generation; contemporary makers
- Prize: 1st Prize classical, Granada 2026 (IX Antonio Marín Montero competition)
- US dealer: GSI (exclusive)
Music and Woodworking
Francesco was born in Turin in 2000 and from an early age showed a natural aptitude for working with his hands, along with a strong fascination for woodworking. Music was always important in his family: his father plays several instruments, including the guitar, and passed on to Francesco his passion for music and his love of the guitar.
From the Accademia to Valerio Licari's Workshop
In 2019, after high school, he discovered the Accademia di Liuteria Piemontese San Filippo in Turin, where he saw a way to bring his two passions together. He enrolled in the two-year course in plucked-string instrument making, first of all to build a guitar for his father – and once that guitar was finished, he simply could not stop building. After his studies, a foundation-funded internship took him for six months to the workshop of his latest teacher, Valerio Licari. Today he builds guitars in his own workshop in Turin.
A Guitar After Segovia's 1924 Santos
Francesco's prize-winning model grew out of several replicas of the Santos Hernández built for Andrés Segovia in 1924. Over time he developed his own interpretation, adjusting the soundboard bracing and body dimensions to keep the deep, round, powerful basses he admired in his replicas while balancing them with the trebles. His rosettes use only natural wood colors – no dyes – and his headstock keeps the Santos shape with new proportions and a boxwood purfling.
First Prize in Granada
At the ninth Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition in Granada (July 30 – August 1, 2026), Francesco won First Prize in the classical guitar category, ahead of Nicolás Lamoureux (2nd) and, ex aequo, Xiao Jiang and Leopoldo Barberis (3rd). The prize-winning guitar came to GSI.
FAQ
Where is Francesco Baccaglion's workshop?
In Turin, Italy.
Who taught Francesco Baccaglion?
He trained at the Accademia di Liuteria Piemontese San Filippo in Turin and in the workshop of Valerio Licari.
What prize has Francesco Baccaglion won?
First Prize in the classical category at the IX Antonio Marín Montero competition in Granada, 2026.
Where can I buy a Francesco Baccaglion guitar in the USA?
GSI is Francesco's exclusive dealer in the USA.
You'll find Francesco's guitars currently in stock by clicking the "Guitars In Stock" button in the header of this page.
